H.R. 79

119th CONGRESS 1st Session

To nullify certain Executive orders regarding COVID–19 vaccine mandates and to prohibit the Secretary of Labor from issuing a rule mandating vaccination against COVID–19, and for other purposes.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES · January 3, 2025 · Sponsor: Mr. Biggs of Arizona

Table of contents

• H.R. 79
  • SEC. 1. Short title
  • SEC. 2. Nullification of certain Executive orders
  • SEC. 3. Prohibition of rules mandating vaccination
  • SEC. 4. Prohibition on Medicare and Medicaid COVID–19 vaccination mandates

SEC. 1. Short title

• This Act may be cited as the Freedom from Mandates Act.

SEC. 2. Nullification of certain Executive orders

• (a) Safety protocols for Federal Contractors
  • Executive Order 14042 (86 Fed. Reg. 50985, relating to ensuring adequate COVID–19 safety protocols for Federal contractors) shall have no force or effect.
• (b) COVID– vaccine requirement
  • Executive Order 14043 (86 Fed. Reg. 50989, relating to requiring COVID–19 vaccination for Federal employees) shall have no force or effect.
  • COVID– vaccine requirement

SEC. 3. Prohibition of rules mandating vaccination

• The Secretary of Labor may not issue any rule requiring employers to mandate vaccination of employees against COVID–19 or requiring testing of employees who are unvaccinated against COVID–19.

SEC. 4. Prohibition on Medicare and Medicaid COVID–19 vaccination mandates

• Notwithstanding any provision of title XI, XVIII, or XIX of the Social Security Act (, 1395 et seq., 1396 et seq.), the Secretary of Health and Human Services may not 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 against COVID–19, and may not otherwise penalize such a provider for such provider’s failure to so mandate such vaccination or so require such testing. 42 U.S.C. 1301 et seq.