House Committee Adopts Amendment to Rehire Soldiers Fired for Refusing COVID Vaccine

The House Armed Services Committee on Wednesday adopted an amendment to the annual defense policy bill that would pressure the Defense Department to rehire U.S. military personnel who were fired for refusing the COVID-19 vaccine.

The measure, which would require the Pentagon to create a robust plan for rehiring these service members, was adopted by voice vote as the committee considered a series of amendments for a markup of the 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).

The measure, however, faces an uncertain future later this year, when the committee will meet with the Democratic-led Senate Armed Services Committee to reconcile differences in the NDAA before full congressional approval.

Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.), who introduced the amendment, said the measure would correct the unfair dismissal of 8,400 service members who refused the COVID-19 vaccine when it became mandatory for U.S. military personnel.

“To date, the Department has been unable to recruit significant numbers of military personnel separated under the COVID mandate. This is unacceptable,” she said. “These individuals have valuable skills and many already have the training our military desperately needs.”

In the 2024 NDAA, Congress included a measure that directed the Pentagon to consider reinstatement of military personnel discharged because of the vaccine at the request of veterans. These veterans, however, must have submitted a request for a religious, administrative or medical exemption for the vaccine.

Lawmakers also included authorization for an investigative board to review military personnel discharged because of the vaccine and a requirement for the Defense Department to communicate to these veterans how they can be reinstated in the 2024 bill.

In the 2023 NDAA, Congress forced the Pentagon to rescind the COVID-19 vaccine mandate.

But Rep. Salud Carbajal (D-Calif.) said military personnel are required to receive multiple types of vaccines.

“Vaccines save lives,” he said. “It’s a matter of readiness. We currently vaccinate our forces to protect them and their fellow soldiers. When service members get sick, it undermines the effectiveness of our entire force.”

This story originally appeared on thehill.com read the full story