Allowing Military Exemptions, Recognizing Individual Concerns About New Shots Act of 2025 or the AMERICANS ActThis bill prohibits the Department of Defense (DOD) from issuing any COVID-19 vaccine mandate as a replacement for the rescinded vaccine mandate of August 24, 2021, unless the mandate is expressly authorized by Congress. The bill also provides that DOD must establish an application process for remedies for members of the Armed Forces who were discharged or subject to adverse action under the rescinded mandate.Any administrative discharge of a member on the sole basis of a failure to receive a COVID-19 vaccine must be categorized as an honorable discharge, and DOD is prohibited from taking any adverse action against such a member for that reason.DOD must try to retain unvaccinated members and provide such members with professional development, promotion and leadership opportunities, and consideration equal to that of their peers.Additionally, DOD may only consider the COVID-19 vaccination status of members in making certain decisions (e.g., deployments in countries where it is the law) and must establish a process to provide exemptions to certain members for such decisions.Members who were separated from the Armed Forces for refusing to receive a COVID-19 vaccine are not required to repay any bonuses and must be reimbursed if they repaid any portion of a bonus prior to this bill's enactment.This bill applies to all members of the Armed Forces, regardless of whether they sought an accommodation to any DOD COVID-19 vaccination policy.
The proposed legislation outlines remedies for those members who were separated from service or faced adverse actions strictly due to their refusal to comply with the COVID-19 vaccine mandate. It allows for those affected to have their discharge statuses adjusted to 'honorable discharge,' reinstatement to service under specified conditions, and compensation for lost pay and benefits. The aim is to restore rights and benefits to individuals who arguably faced punitive measures for health-related decisions.
SB117, known as the AMERICANS Act (Allowing Military Exemptions, Recognizing Individual Concerns About New Shots Act of 2025), aims to address issues faced by members of the Armed Forces who were discharged or faced adverse actions due to their COVID-19 vaccination status. The bill specifically prohibits the Department of Defense from issuing any new COVID-19 vaccine mandates, unless authorized by Congress, thereby seeking to protect military personnel against potential unjust actions surrounding vaccination requirements.
Debate surrounding SB117 centers on the tension between military readiness and individual rights. Supporters argue that the bill upholds the principles of personal choice and accountability, highlighting the uniqueness of the military environment. However, critics may view the legislation as a challenge to the authority of military leaders and a potential impediment to public health initiatives within the armed forces. Overall, the bill seeks to redress perceived grievances while navigating the implications of vaccination policies and military discipline.
Armed Forces and National Security