Iowa Senate Bill SR7

Iowa 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/22/23
• Refer: 3/22/23

Caption

A resolution condemning the federal vaccination mandate for members of the military and urging state and federal authorities to take remedial actions for negatively impacted service members.

Impact

The resolution calls for several specific actions, including the reinstatement of National Guard members who were separated or placed on non-pay status due to non-compliance with the vaccine mandate. It emphasizes the need for public condemnation of any firings related to this issue and requests financial compensation for service members negatively affected by the vaccination requirement. Importantly, the resolution also highlights the adverse implications on military readiness, citing potential losses of highly trained personnel if the mandate remains in place.

Summary

Senate Resolution 7 (SR7) is a resolution that condemns the federal vaccination mandate imposed on military personnel, particularly focusing on the Iowa Army and Air National Guard. The resolution expresses concerns over the requirement for service members to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, arguing that such mandates violate personal freedoms and compromise military readiness due to decreased recruitment and retention rates among guardsmen unwilling to comply. The resolution urges state and federal authorities to take remedial actions to support the affected service members.

Contention

Notably, SR7 points to precedents set by federal district court rulings which suggest that service members have faced violations of their constitutional rights concerning religious accommodation requests related to vaccine exemptions. The resolution presents a critical view of the federal government's approach to public health mandates, framing the situation as a matter of individual rights versus government-imposed health regulations. There is significant contention among lawmakers regarding the merits of such mandates, weighing public health considerations against issues of personal liberties and military efficacy.