U.S. Military Covid Vaccine Mandate Should End

The Pentagon is now a theater in the fight over vaccine mandates. Last week, Republicans in the House of Representatives demanded the end of the Covid-vaccine mandate President Joe Biden imposed on the U.S. military in 2021. Republicans inserted language ending the mandate into the National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2023, which sets the policy agenda and authorizes funding for the Department of Defense. Republicans, along with a few Democrats, insisted on tying the end of the mandate to the passage of this key bill, forcing the White House into a precarious situation.

The 2022 midterm elections made this result a fait accompli. Along with ending the military vaccine mandate, House Republicans ensured an 8 percent increase in overall military spending, and a 4.6 percent increase in pay for the troops. The White House and its progressive allies opposed the funding increases, but erupted in overt anger at the prospect of ending the Covid-vaccine mandate. But the House passed the measure 350–80, with substantial Democratic support. A Senate vote awaits before the bill gets to President Biden’s desk. The House has done the right thing; the Senate and the president should follow, as the vaccine mandate is bad policy.

PJ

About the Author

Pradheep J. Shanker

Pradheep J. Shanker is a radiologist who focuses on health policy.

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The Pentagon is now a theater in the fight over vaccine mandates. Last week, Republicans in the House of Representatives demanded the end of the Covid-vaccine mandate President Joe Biden imposed on the U.S. military in 2021. Republicans inserted language ending the mandate into the National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2023, which sets the policy agenda and authorizes funding for the Department of Defense. Republicans, along with a few Democrats, insisted on tying the end of the mandate to the passage of this key bill, forcing the White House into a precarious situation.

The 2022 midterm elections made this result a fait accompli. Along with ending the military vaccine mandate, House Republicans ensured an 8 percent increase in overall military spending, and a 4.6 percent increase in pay for the troops. The White House and its progressive allies opposed the funding increases, but erupted in overt anger at the prospect of ending the Covid-vaccine mandate. But the House passed the measure 350–80, with substantial Democratic support. A Senate vote awaits before the bill gets to President Biden’s desk. The House has done the right thing; the Senate and the president should follow, as the vaccine mandate is bad policy.