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Introduced January 16, 2025 by Rafael Edward Cruz · Last progress January 16, 2025
Prohibits the Secretary of Defense from reimposing a COVID-19 vaccine mandate for service members without an act of Congress and bars adverse personnel actions taken solely for refusing a COVID-19 vaccine. It requires restoration and remedial options for covered members who were discharged or otherwise punished for vaccine refusal, establishes processes for applications and exemptions (including natural immunity, qualifying medical conditions, and sincerely held religious beliefs), and directs the Department of Defense to attempt retention and limit consideration of vaccination status for assignments except where foreign law requires vaccination.
The bill restores status, pay, benefits, and career protections for service members and veterans affected by prior COVID-19 vaccine policies while restricting the Department of Defense's ability to reimpose vaccine mandates—trading relief for affected personnel against potential readiness, deployment flexibility, administrative costs, and fiscal impacts.
Veterans and separated service members who were discharged for refusing a COVID-19 vaccine can have their discharges upgraded to honorable, restoring eligibility for VA benefits and other veterans' services.
Affected service members who are reinstated or restored will receive back pay, restored rank, benefits, and relief or reimbursement for recruitment/retention bonus repayments, reducing prior financial losses and correcting career records.
Unvaccinated covered members must be considered for retention, promotions, professional development, and leadership equal to vaccinated peers, protecting career progression and employment opportunities for those individuals.
Military leaders and national security planners: prohibiting the Department of Defense from reimposing a COVID-19 vaccine mandate without new Congressional action could constrain the military's ability to respond quickly to future public-health threats and to manage force health protection.
Taxpayers and DoD budgets: reinstating members and compensating back pay/benefits could create substantial personnel and payroll costs if many service members seek remedies, increasing fiscal burden on the Department of Defense and taxpayers.
Deployed service members and operational planners: limiting consideration of vaccination status for deployments may conflict with host‑nation vaccine requirements and complicate operational planning, potentially reducing deployment options or imposing restrictions.