House Republicans Propose New Bill to Ban 'Vaccine Passports'
Rep. Andy Biggs announces proposal amid draconian measures
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House Republicans have proposed a new bill to ban the federal government from demanding vaccine passports to prove citizens have been inoculated against the coronavirus.
Rep. Andy Biggs (R-AZ) said in a statement Thursday:
“I am profoundly disturbed that the Biden Administration would even consider imposing vaccine passports on the American people."
“My private healthcare decisions—and yours—are nobody else’s business. Vaccine passports will not help our nation recover from COVID-19; instead, they will simply impose more Big Brother surveillance on our society.”
While states like New York are moving to mandate vaccine passports, other states like Florida and Texas pushed back.
Last week, Florida's Republican Governor Ron DeSantis signed an executive order to ban the use of "vaccine passports" in his state.
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Gov. DeSantis also said that the state legislature is striving to make the protections “permanent.”
DeSantis asserts in his executive order that “vaccination passports reduce individual freedom and will harm patient privacy.”
Biggs praised DeSantis's move.
“I especially applaud Florida Governor Ron DeSantis for being an early leader against vaccine passports at the state level. My No Vaccine Passports Act builds on his efforts and will further protect Americans’ privacy rights and fundamental freedoms,” Biggs said.
The "No Vaccine Passport Act” would stop "federal agencies from issuing any standardized documentation that could be used to certify a U.S. citizen’s COVID-19 status to a third party, such as a restaurant or an airline. Additionally, this bill prohibits proof of COVID-19 vaccination from being a requirement for access to the federal or congressional property and services.”
The House bill has 18 Republican co-sponsors:
Rep. Jeff Duncan of South Carolina
Greg Steube of Florida
Warren Davidson of Ohio
Ben Cline of Virginia
Yvette Herrell of New Mexico
Louie Gohmert of Texas
Russ Fulcher of Idaho
Chip Roy of Texas
Mary Miller of Illinois
Bill Posey of Florida
Ralph Norman of South Carolina
Madison Cawthorn of North Carolina
Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia
Ted Budd of North Carolina
Randy Weber of Texas
Scott Perry of Pennsylvania
Jody Hice of Georgia.
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An agency may not issue a vaccine passport, vaccine pass or other standardized documentation for the purpose of certifying the COVID-19 vaccination status of a citizen of the United States to a third party, or otherwise publish or share any COVID-19 vaccination record of a citizen of the United States or similar health information,” reads one of the provisions of the proposed bill.
"Proof of COVID-19 vaccination shall not be deemed a requirement for access to Federal property or Federal services, or for access to congressional grounds or services.”
Idaho recently banned requiring proof of vaccination before residents can use certain public services or goods.
Following the lead of Florida, Texas, and Utah, GOP Gov. Brad Little signed an executive order prohibiting “vaccine passport” laws.
“Idahoans should be given the choice to receive the vaccine. We should not violate Idahoans’ personal freedoms by requiring them to receive it,” Little said in a statement.
“Vaccine passports create different classes of citizens. Vaccine passports restrict the free flow of commerce during a time when life and the economy are returning to normal. Vaccine passports threaten individual freedom and patient privacy.”
