Congressman Steube introduces The Safeguarding the U.S. Armed Forces and Service Academies Act

U.S. Representative Greg Steube (R-Fla.) introduced The Safeguarding the U.S. Armed Forces and Service Academies Act 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.

“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 Rep. 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.”

Specifically, the legislation:

• 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.
• Prevents issuing new mandates or orders regarding COVID-19 vaccines.

Read the bill text here.

About Rep. Steube: Immediately after graduating from the University of Florida with both undergraduate and law degrees, Greg answered the call to serve in the war on terror following the September 11th attacks. Enlisting in the U.S. Army, Greg served with distinction from 2004 to 2008 as an Airborne Infantry Officer and a JAG Corps Officer. Greg served as the Chief of Detainee Operations for Multinational Division North in Iraq with the 25th Infantry Division in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom from 2006-2007.