Lankford, Lee Call to Defund Federal Vaccine Mandates

OKLAHOMA CITY,OK — Senators James Lankford (R-OK), Mike Lee (R-UT), Ted Cruz (R-TX), Steve Daines (R-MT), Rick Scott (R-FL), Roger Marshall (R-KS), Ron Johnson (R-WI), Mike Braun (R-IN), Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), and Rand Paul (R-KY) sent a letter in defense of Americans targeted by President Biden’s vaccine mandates, making clear in a letter to colleagues they will not consent to expedited passage of a funding bill that allows the vaccine mandates to continue. At minimum, the Senators demanded a roll call vote on an amendment to defund the enforcement of remaining federal vaccine mandates on government contractors, members of the military, all other federal employees, and medical care providers.

The Senators wrote, “We have consistently opposed President Biden’s federal COVID-19 vaccine mandates, which would force millions of Americans to choose between an unwanted medical procedure and being able to provide for their families. For legal, constitutional, and policy reasons, we remain strongly opposed to the mandates and will continue to work to end their imposition on Americans.”

The letter continues, “These COVID-19 vaccine mandates amount to a serious abuse of both federal power and executive authority.  … President Biden has no business forcing people to make a tragic choice between unemployment and an unwanted vaccination. Additionally, it is particularly troubling for the President to ask thousands of troops to amass in eastern Europe while simultaneously demanding they get a politicized vaccine.

“History will bear record of whether we chose to endure tyranny, or oppose it, in this pivotal moment. We invite you to stand with us and oppose the continued funding of these mandates.”

Read the full letter HERE and below. 

Dear Colleague, 

We have consistently opposed President Biden’s federal COVID-19 vaccine mandates, which would force millions of Americans to choose between an unwanted medical procedure and being able to provide for their families. For legal, constitutional, and policy reasons, we remain strongly opposed to the mandates and will continue to work to end their imposition on Americans. 

As you are likely aware, the OSHA mandate was rescinded shortly after the Supreme Court blocked its enforcement. This is no small victory. Millions of Americans are now free from this unwarranted federal invasion into healthcare decisions, but for how long? In addition to the lingering, harmful uncertainty faced by those subject to the four remaining COVID-19 mandates – specifically, those imposing vaccine requirements on medical workers, military personnel, federal employees, and federal contractors – the American people as a whole still face uncertainty as to whether President Biden has abandoned his desire to impose similar requirements on them. 

Congress has passed three Continuing Resolutions (“CR”) since President Biden announced these mandates, allowing them to be potentially funded and enforced. We will continue to stand against these mandates until they are discontinued in ambition, design, and practice. For that reason, we are writing to let you know that we will once again not consent to a time agreement that eases passage of a CR or Omnibus that funds these mandates. At the very least, we will require a roll call vote on an amendment that defunds the enforcement of these vaccine mandates for the spending period covered by the government funding measure. 

These COVID-19 vaccine mandates amount to a serious abuse of both federal power and executive authority. They also further strain the economic and social pressures our society currently faces, while completely ignoring existing evidence-based data on natural immunity from previous COVID- 19 infection. Further, evidence-based research has conclusively shown that vaccination does not stop the spread of COVID-19. In any event, President Biden has no business forcing people to make a tragic choice between unemployment and an unwanted vaccination. Additionally, it is particularly troubling for the President to ask thousands of troops to amass in eastern Europe while simultaneously demanding they get a politicized vaccine. 

All Senate Republicans have voted to defund the vaccine mandates. This is a GOP conference position. As such, it should be a part of the negotiation for inclusion in any spending bill. As Members of Congress, we must not abdicate our Article I duties in hopes that the judicial branch will rule in favor of the American people, or that if left unaddressed by legislative action the problem before us will somehow dissipate. History will bear record of whether we chose to endure tyranny, or oppose it, in this pivotal moment. We invite you to stand with us and oppose the continued funding of these mandates. 

Sincerely, 

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