Letter to Senate Colleagues - Senator Lee Leads Letter to Defund Federal Vaccine Mandates

Letter

Dear Colleague,

We have consistently opposed President Biden's federal COVID-19 vaccine mandates, which would
force millions of Americans to choose between an unwanted medical procedure and being able to provide for their families. For legal, constitutional, and policy reasons, we remain strongly opposed to the mandates and will continue to work to end their imposition on Americans.

As you are likely aware, the OSHA mandate was rescinded shortly after the Supreme Court blocked its enforcement. This is no small victory. Millions of Americans are now free from this unwarranted
federal invasion into healthcare decisions, but for how long? In addition to the lingering, harmful
uncertainty faced by those subject to the four remaining COVID-19 mandates -- specifically, those
imposing vaccine requirements on medical workers, military personnel, federal employees, and federal contractors -- the American people as a whole still face uncertainty as to whether President
Biden has abandoned his desire to impose similar requirements on them.

Congress has passed three Continuing Resolutions ("CR") since President Biden announced these
mandates, allowing them to be potentially funded and enforced. We will continue to stand against
these mandates until they are discontinued in ambition, design, and practice. For that reason, we are
writing to let you know that we will once again not consent to a time agreement that eases passage of a CR or Omnibus that funds these mandates. At the very least, we will require a roll call vote on an
amendment that defunds the enforcement of these vaccine mandates for the spending period covered
by the government funding measure.

These COVID-19 vaccine mandates amount to a serious abuse of both federal power and executive
authority. They also further strain the economic and social pressures our society currently faces, while completely ignoring existing evidence-based data on natural immunity from previous COVID19 infection. Further, evidence-based research has conclusively shown that vaccination does not stop the spread of COVID-19. In any event, President Biden has no business forcing people to make a tragic choice between unemployment and an unwanted vaccination. Additionally, it is particularly troubling for the President to ask thousands of troops to amass in eastern Europe while simultaneously demanding they get a politicized vaccine.

All Senate Republicans have voted to defund the vaccine mandates. This is a GOP conference position. As such, it should be a part of the negotiation for inclusion in any spending bill. As Members of Congress, we must not abdicate our Article I duties in hopes that the judicial branch will rule in favor of the American people, or that if left unaddressed by legislative action the problem before us will somehow dissipate. History will bear record of whether we chose to endure tyranny, or oppose it, in this pivotal moment. We invite you to stand with us and oppose the continued funding of these mandates.

Sincerely,