Defense secretary has said service records would be updated.
The National Defense Authorization Act for 2023 signed by President Biden includes a provision that repealed the nation’s military vaccine mandate. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has also issued a memo saying records will be updated and letters of reprimand for refusing the mandated vaccine would be removed.
Representative Michael Waltz of Florida, a member of the House Armed Services Committee, said Congress intends to add language to the next Defense Authorization Act that would provide back pay for those troops who were terminated under the mandate if the Pentagon does not take the initiative to do so.
“Right now, we are not currently pursuing back-pay to service members who were dismissed for refusing to take the COVID vaccination,” Pentagon Press Secretary Air Force Brigadier General Patrick Ryder stated on Tuesday.
Congressman Waltz said, “If the Pentagon does not provide backpay and restore full benefits for those who were discharged and request to be reinstated, we in Congress must act by adding language in the next NDAA to do so. We have an obligation to these service members.”
Senator Roger Marshall of Kansas concurred, saying, “This should have been done on the Senate Floor during the consideration of NDAA, but 54 of my colleagues opposed doing so. I call on DoD Sec. Austin and Pres. Biden to move on providing back pay at once.”
Senators Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee and Ted Cruz of Texas support legislation to ensure back pay and benefits for those who refused the vaccine.
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For the senators and representatives who are endeavoring to ensure back pay for veterans who refused the COVID vaccine.
- For officials in the Defense Department as they assess policies and updates service records.
Sources: Fox Digital News, Politico
