Urges US Congress to pass legislation to reinstate service members discharged for refusing COVID-19 vaccine.
Impact
Should H.R.7570 be enacted, it would provide affected service members the opportunity to be reinstated to their previous rank and grade upon request and upgrade their discharge status to honorable. This change is aimed at recognizing the sacrifices made by military members and restoring their eligibility for benefits that may have been compromised by their discharge status. The resolution reflects New Jersey's commitment to honor the efforts of military personnel while also respecting individual choices regarding vaccination.
Summary
Assembly Concurrent Resolution No. 45 (ACR45) is a resolution from the New Jersey Legislature that urges the United States Congress to pass legislation (H.R.7570) aimed at reinstating service members who were discharged from the military for refusing to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. The resolution highlights the situation that arose when the Biden administration mandated vaccinations for military personnel in 2021, leading to disciplinary actions against those who opted out. As a consequence, many service members received general discharges under honorable conditions, which can affect their future employment and perceived contributions to the Armed Forces.
Contention
Not all legislators and stakeholders may view ACR45 favorably. The bill could spur discussions about military policy concerning vaccination mandates as well as broader implications regarding personal choice versus public health mandates in the military context. There may be varying opinions about the appropriateness of reinstating service members who refused the vaccine, and such debates could frame future discussions in both legislative and public arenas.
Memorializes Congress to pass the AMERICANS Act of 2023 to reinstate any service member removed from any branch of the military for refusing the COVID-19 vaccine.
Service Restoration Act This bill prohibits the use of federal funds to require a member of the Armed Forces, or a cadet or midshipman at a military service academy, to receive a COVID-19 vaccination. Additionally, no such individuals may be subject to adverse action solely on the basis of a refusal to receive a COVID-19 vaccination. At the request of an individual who was involuntarily separated from an Armed Force solely because of a refusal to receive a COVID-19 vaccination, the military department concerned must reinstate the individual as a member of the Armed Force in the same rank and grade the individual held at the time of separation, expunge from the individual's military service record any reference to adverse action related to the refusal to receive a COVID-19 vaccination, and include the period between the involuntary separation and reinstatement in the computation of retired or retainer pay of the individual. The bill requires that the discharge of members due to the failure to obey a lawful order to receive a COVID-19 vaccination must be categorized as an honorable discharge, including for individuals who were discharged prior to the enactment of this bill.