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bill prohibits the Department of Defense (DOD) from issuing any COVID-19 vaccine mandate as a replacement for the rescinded vaccine mandate of August 24, 2021, unless the mandate is expressly authorized by Congress.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process for remedies for members of the Armed Forces who were discharged or subject to adverse action under the rescinded mandate.Any administrative discharge of a member on the sole basis of a failure to receive a COVID-19 vaccine must be categorized as an honorable discharge,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.
Impact
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.
Summary
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.
Contention
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.
This bill prohibits any entity that receives specified COVID-19 relief funds from mandating COVID-19 vaccines for its employees. An entity that violates this prohibition must return the funding it received.
No Vaccine Passports Act This bill prohibits certain actions related to vaccine passports and proof of COVID-19 vaccination. Specifically, a federal 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 U.S. citizen to a third party, or otherwise publish or share any COVID-19 vaccination record of a U.S. citizen or similar health information. Additionally, proof of COVID-19 vaccination shall not be required to access federal or congressional property or services.
No Vaccine Passports Act This bill prohibits certain actions related to vaccine passports and proof of COVID-19 vaccination. Specifically, a federal 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 U.S. citizen to a third party, or otherwise publish or share any COVID-19 vaccination record of a U.S. citizen or similar health information. Additionally, proof of COVID-19 vaccination shall not be required to access federal or congressional property or services.
Freedom from Mandates Act This bill nullifies certain executive orders regarding COVID-19 safety and prohibits the Departments of Labor and Health and Human Services (HHS) from taking specified actions with respect to vaccination against COVID-19. Specifically, the bill nullifies Executive Order 14042 (relating to ensuring adequate COVID-19 safety protocols for federal contractors) and Executive Order 14043 (requiring COVID-19 vaccination for federal employees). Labor may not issue any rule requiring employers to mandate vaccination of employees against COVID-19 or requiring testing of employees who are unvaccinated. HHS may not (1) require a health care provider, as a condition of participation in the Medicare or Medicaid program, to mandate vaccination of employees against COVID-19 or require testing of employees who are unvaccinated; or (2) otherwise penalize such a provider for failure to mandate such vaccination or require such testing.