What do a breastfeeding mother and one with natural COVID-19 immunity have in common? Neither is eligible for an exemption to the military’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate. And if you’re a service member seeking a religious exemption? Think again.
What makes this situation so unusual is the fact that the Pentagon mandates 17 different vaccines for active-duty service members, all of which come with a whole host of exemptions to the mandate for religious or health reasons, but that is not the case with the coronavirus vaccine. The Pentagon mandate makes no sense to me, and it shouldn’t to you either.
I have gotten all three rounds of the Pfizer vaccine, and I took the jabs as soon as they were available to me after consulting with my doctor. Once he said I was a good candidate for the vaccine, I made my choice, which was mine — not the government’s. Our proud fighting men and women deserve the same right. I encourage everyone to consider taking the vaccine if their doctor recommends it, but I am vehemently opposed to the government forcing service members to take it. They are fighting for our freedom, but what freedom do they enjoy?
Like many of my colleagues, whenever I travel back home, I am inundated with stories about how this mandate will affect our fighting men and women. One woman told me the story of her daughter, who is a proud fifth-generation member of the military. Unfortunately, her daughter will no longer be able to serve her country because she is a new mother who is breastfeeding and doesn’t want to get the vaccine because she is not sure how this will affect her newborn child.
I have heard countless stories such as this one, and each breaks my heart. These are people who chose to serve their country with honor and are instead being thrown to the curb because of a nonsensical mandate. You have a 15-plus-year career in the military, your whole life’s work, and you’re looking forward to retiring one day — all of a sudden, you’re out. Where do you turn? Send your resume around to some other countries and try and hire on with their military?
Bizarrely, the Pentagon claims that this mandate is intended to promote “military readiness.” Obviously, our military should be ready to face any challenges thrown at the United States. This may be one area where most Americans actually agree. The problem is that the Pentagon is using this language to act as a shiny bow on its terrible mandate. The reality of the situation is that this mandate would decimate military readiness. It is estimated that 30% of our armed forces are unvaccinated against COVID-19. How exactly would discharging 30% of our service members be in the best interests of our national security?
If you’re left wondering why this mandate is in effect, you’re not alone. That is why I am working with Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky to bring H.R. 3860 to the floor of the House of Representatives for a vote. This legislation would prohibit any requirement that a member of the armed forces be required to receive a coronavirus vaccine.
I am asking my colleagues from both parties to join me in this effort. Every member of Congress has constituents who are either active-duty personnel or their families. Every member of Congress should stand with me in opposing this mandate. Call your representative and ask them to sign my discharge petition today so our fighting men and women don’t get their discharge papers tomorrow. May God richly bless those who serve.
Billy Long represents Missouri’s 7th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives.
