HOME / NEWS / HUMAN INTEREST

'Unconscionable': WH flayed for asking unvaxxed troops to be DISHONORABLY discharged

White House wants those refusing to get vaxxed to be dishonorably discharged, opposed NADA provision preventing that leaving the internet fuming

While the GOP continues to ramp up its fight against vaccines and masks, the Biden administration is moving ahead with strict mandates for them. In its latest battle against anti-vaxxers, the White House announced opposition to a National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) provision that prevents the Pentagon from discharging service members who refuse vaccinations. Predictably, the announcement has not gone down well with social media users, who have slammed President Joe Biden.

News of the White House's opposition comes the same day Florida's new surgeon general ruled masks would be entirely up to parents and not schools. In early September, the Bident announced sweeping new vaccine mandates, requiring federal employees to mandatorily get their shot. The mandate also applies to private businesses with over 100 employees, which has led to considerable pushback. 

RELATED ARTICLES

Vaccines have been mandatory for years, so why the drama over Covid-19?

Thomas Massie claims soldiers will quit over Covid vaccine, trolls say 'quitting is desertion'

With the Pfizer shot getting full approval from the FDA, all branches of the military have quickly moved to impose vaccine mandates, which has led to a pushback in Congress led by the GOP. The party squeezed in an amendment, Section 716, to prohibit discharge for anti-vaxxers which is what the White House is opposed to.

White House pushes back against amendment

During the budget bill's markup under the House Armed Services Committee, Rep. Mark Green introduced Section 716 of the NDAA. "Many Americans have reservations about taking a vaccine that has only been available for less than a year," the provision states. It then states, "a member of an Armed Force under the jurisdiction of the Secretary of a military department subject to discharge on the basis of the member choosing not to receive the COVID–19 vaccine may only receive an honorable discharge."

The White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) slammed the provision, noting that it "would detract from readiness and limit a commander's options for enforcing good order" in a statement. The administration is also opposed to Section 720, which would exempt those who previously had Covid-19 from requiring the vaccine. They argue the section would "undermine the effectiveness of the (vaccine) requirement."

As expected, the sections have now become subject to political football. "I am appalled," Green replied to The Daily Mail on the OMB's statement. He added, "No American who raises their hand to serve our Nation should be punished for making a highly personal medical decision." On social media too, the president appears to be getting a lot of flak.

Twitter calls WH opposition 'such BS'

"It is bad enough that the Biden Administration wants to force Americans to get vaccines against their will. Now he wants to dishonorably discharge any service member who doesn’t get one. This is unconscionable," tweeted Rep. William Timmons. One user commented, "Joe says troops should be dishonorably discharged if they do not get the vax. I pity the fool who voted for this fool."

"Biden wants dishonorable discharges for refusing the jab. This mother f----r hasn’t a clue. Hate is not a strong enough word," one person commented. Another said, "Congress and the federal court system, as well as their staffers, are exempt from the requirement. SUCH BS." One person tweeted, "I truly feel our government is severely overstepping its boundaries. As a USAF vet, I can't even imagine someone in my flight removed from the Air Force & then dishonorably discharged because of a Covid19 vac refusal. That affects every part of your civilian life FOREVER."

The debate over Section 716 will conclude on September 23, when it comes before the House for a vote. It is expected to pass, albeit without the support of the conservative House Freedom Caucus. The caucus reportedly opposes the amendment so that it can hold the administration "accountable" for the fiasco in Afghanistan, and for "turning our military into a progressive social experiment." 

If the amendment passes, the military would still be able to discharge those that refuse the jab, but only honorably, meaning they would retain their rank and pension. The military has broadly encouraged the vaccine, but Pentagon data shows that there are still a large number of service members yet to get jabbed.