Source: United States Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND)
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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND), member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, joined Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) in introducing the Defending Freedom of Conscience for Cadets and Midshipmen Act. The legislation would protect cadets and midshipmen at the U.S. Air Force Academy (USAFA), U.S. Naval Academy, U.S. Military Academy, U.S. Coast Guard Academy, and U.S. Merchant Marine Academy from being punished for their choice to not receive the COVID-19 vaccine. USAFA recently announced unvaccinated seniors would not be commissioned. Cadets and midshipmen who do not commission could be forced to repay tuition, room, and board expenses for their time at the Academy.
“Forcing our brave young men and women preparing to serve our nation to violate their consciences and religious beliefs is ridiculous and completely un-American. Military academies should be focused on training their cadets and midshipmen, not imposing top-down COVID-19 vaccine mandates,” said Senator Cramer.
“It is outrageous to punish young men and women who want nothing more than to serve their nation,” said Senator Rubio. “These are the types of ridiculous, unnecessarily punitive measures that discourage patriotic Americans from joining the military. The Academy should stop playing politics and focus on preparing cadets and midshipmen for their future service.”
Specifically, the Defending Freedom of Conscience for Cadets and Midshipmen Act:
- Clarifies cadets and midshipmen cannot be denied graduation for not being vaccinated against COVID-19;
- Prevents cadets and midshipmen from being dismissed from their service academy as a result of refusing to be vaccinated (i.e. for disciplinary reasons for refusing the order to be vaccinated); and
- Prevents any cadet who is not allowed to commission due to their COVID-19 vaccination status from being subject to repayment claims.
Senators Cramer and Rubio were joined by Senators Roger Marshall (R-KS), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Jim Risch (R-ID), Mike Braun (R-IN), Ron Johnson (R-WI), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), Rick Scott (R-FL), and Steve Daines (R-MT).
Click here for bill text.