WASHINGTON: The US legislators have directed the Pentagon to revoke its Covid-19 vaccine mandate in the new 858-billion-dollar 2023 defense budget passed by the Senate on Thursday.
The mandate, which discharged over 8000 military personnel for refusal to comply, was rescinded over the objections of President Joe Biden and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin. It is a victory for Republicans who tried hard to scrap it.
Various other measures related to the pandemic had previously been removed or relaxed. Still, the Pentagon’s vaccine mandate remained on the basis that it is necessary for the health and readiness of forces.
However, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for the financial year 2023–which was approved by the House of Representatives and still requires the assent of the President— will have to be scrapped.
Opposition to vaccine mandate
The White House backed Austin’s opposition to scrapping the mandate but it proved unable to prevent Congress from its decision.
Republicans maintained that several pandemic-related measures trespass on personal freedom and tried hard to scrap the mandate.
A group of Republicans demanded in a late November letter for the mandate to be rescinded. They said the mandate had destroyed the livelihoods of honorable soldiers who served the country for years. — AFP/APP
