Biden administration mulls ending U.S. navy COVID-19 vaccine mandate By Reuters

By David Morgan and Jeff Mason

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – President Joe Biden’s administration is mulling a proposal from Republican chief Kevin McCarthy to repeal the U.S. navy’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate, the White Home stated on Saturday.

McCarthy, who’s vying to change into speaker of the U.S. Home of Representatives, earlier advised Fox Information he had received bipartisan settlement to elevate the mandate at a White Home assembly with Biden, Senate Majority Chief Chuck Schumer, Home Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Republican chief Mitch McConnell.

McCarthy stated it could be repealed as a part of the must-pass $817 billion Nationwide Protection Authorization Act, or NDAA, an annual invoice setting coverage for the Pentagon that’s anticipated to move the Senate and Home of Representatives this month.

However the White Home stated Biden had agreed solely to contemplate the thought.

“Chief McCarthy raised this with the president and the president advised him he would take into account it,” stated White Home spokesperson Olivia Dalton. “The secretary of protection has really useful retaining the mandate, and the president helps his place. Discussions concerning the NDAA are ongoing.”

The mandate, which was imposed in August 2021, requires all U.S. service members to be vaccinated towards COVID-19.

“You understand what I used to be capable of obtain in that assembly? To have the ability (to) – we will see within the NDAA – elevate the vaccination mandate on our navy women and men,” McCarthy, the highest Home Republican, stated within the interview, which aired late on Friday.

“I do know I’ll get that,” McCarthy stated. “We’re working it out proper now. I consider we’re … going to get that.”

There was no rapid remark from the opposite three congressional leaders on the assembly.

The Pentagon’s vaccine mandate has been the article of intense opposition from Republican conservatives, together with a number of Home lawmakers who’re threatening to dam McCarthy from changing into speaker when Republicans take management of the chamber on Jan. 3.

In accordance with Protection Division information, 3,717 Marines, 1,816 troopers and a pair of,064 sailors have been discharged for refusing to get vaccinated. However federal courts this yr have blocked navy companies from punishing personnel who’ve refused the vaccines on spiritual grounds.

McCarthy introduced the vaccine mandate deal as an indication of how he would lead the Home as speaker. He additionally rebutted conservative criticism over his attendance at a White Home state dinner for French President Emmanuel Macron.

“That is the issues that we will have with the brand new Republican majority,” McCarthy advised Fox Information.

“If anyone needs to argue about whether or not I will symbolize this nation proper and respect the very first ally that helped us create this nation, I do not assume they’ve their hearts in the precise place.”