Press Releases

WASHINGTON – U.S. Representative Jason Smith (Mo.), along with dozens of his Republican colleagues, recently sent a letter to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin demanding answers from the Pentagon regarding the impact of the Biden administration’s military COVID-19 vaccine mandate on the readiness of America’s Armed Forces.

“Between training, deployments, and the other responsibilities that come with military service, the last thing our nation’s heroes – and the families who support them – should have to worry about is getting discharged if they don’t comply with the administration’s politically motivated vaccine mandate,” said Smith. “In addition, this mandate is threatening our military readiness at a time when our nation and allies are facing more threats from our adversaries than ever before.”

Over 100,000 servicemembers could be discharged if they fail to comply with the Biden administration’s military COVID-19 vaccine mandate. With the U.S. Army facing significant challenges in recruiting and as war rages in Europe, the vaccine mandate could significantly harm U.S. military readiness.

Smith is a staunch opponent of the Biden administration’s efforts to force Americans to comply with vaccine mandates. Last year, Smith filed an amicus brief urging the Supreme Court to strike down the administration’s “emergency” rule requiring private companies to enforce a COVID-19 vaccine mandate. Smith commended the Supreme Court for striking down the rule in January.

In addition, Smith has coauthored several bills to protect Americans’ freedom to decide if COVID-19 vaccines are the right decision for them and their families.