AMERICANS Act
Sponsored By: Representative Harrigan
Introduced
Summary
Bars the Defense Secretary from issuing a new COVID-19 vaccine mandate without an explicit act of Congress. The bill would also create a package of remedies for service members discharged or otherwise punished over COVID-19 vaccination status.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Reinstatement and back pay for unvaccinated troops
If enacted, you could apply for relief if you were separated or punished only for refusing a COVID-19 shot. At your choice, DoD would have to change your discharge to honorable and expunge COVID-only adverse actions. You could be reinstated at the highest grade you held before separation (except any rank loss unrelated to vaccination), effective the date you were separated. DoD would count the separation time toward retired or retainer pay and repay lost pay and benefits from COVID-only adverse actions. You could be released from repaying certain bonuses and get back bonus repayments made before enactment. You would need to apply through a DoD process, and this would apply whether or not you previously sought an accommodation.
Equal chances and exemptions for unvaccinated troops
If enacted, DoD would have to try to keep unvaccinated covered members. You would get equal training, promotion, and leadership chances as your peers. DoD could use vaccination status for deployments or assignments only if both are true: the country requires vaccination by law for entry and your presence there is necessary for your job. For those cases, DoD would set an exemption process. You could seek an exemption based on documented natural immunity, a health condition that raises vaccine risk for you, or a sincere religious belief.
No new DoD COVID shot mandate
If enacted, the Secretary of Defense could not issue a new COVID-19 vaccine mandate to replace the rescinded one unless Congress passes a law that clearly allows it.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Harrigan
NC • R
Cosponsors
Kennedy (UT)
UT • R
Sponsored 1/16/2025
Ogles
TN • R
Sponsored 1/16/2025
Hamadeh (AZ)
AZ • R
Sponsored 1/16/2025
Stutzman
IN • R
Sponsored 1/16/2025
Wied
WI • R
Sponsored 1/16/2025
Luna
FL • R
Sponsored 1/16/2025
Knott
NC • R
Sponsored 1/16/2025
Harris (NC)
NC • R
Sponsored 1/16/2025
Nehls
TX • R
Sponsored 1/16/2025
Moore (WV)
WV • R
Sponsored 1/16/2025
Onder
MO • R
Sponsored 1/16/2025
Barrett
MI • R
Sponsored 1/16/2025
Edwards
NC • R
Sponsored 1/16/2025
Murphy
NC • R
Sponsored 1/16/2025
Self
TX • R
Sponsored 1/16/2025
Downing
MT • R
Sponsored 1/16/2025
Jack
GA • R
Sponsored 1/16/2025
Schmidt
KS • R
Sponsored 1/16/2025
Messmer
IN • R
Sponsored 1/16/2025
McGuire
VA • R
Sponsored 1/16/2025
Haridopolos
FL • R
Sponsored 1/16/2025
Rulli
OH • R
Sponsored 1/16/2025
Baumgartner
WA • R
Sponsored 1/21/2025
McDowell
NC • R
Sponsored 1/21/2025
Van Orden
WI • R
Sponsored 1/22/2025
Yakym
IN • R
Sponsored 2/4/2025
Gosar
AZ • R
Sponsored 2/4/2025
Goldman (TX)
TX • R
Sponsored 3/31/2025
Finstad
MN • R
Sponsored 6/10/2025
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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