ABOARD A U.S. MILITARY AIRCRAFT — Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin mentioned he desires to maintain the army’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate in place to guard the well being of the troops, as Republican governors and lawmakers press to rescind it.
This previous week greater than 20 Republican governors despatched a letter to President Joe Biden asking that the administration take away the mandate, saying it has harm the U.S. National Guard’s skill to recruit troops. Those troops are activated by governors to answer pure disasters or unrest.
Congress might contemplate laws this coming week to finish the mandate as a requirement to collect sufficient assist to go this years’ protection price range, which is already two months late.
Austin mentioned he wouldn’t touch upon strain from the Hill.
“We lost a million people to this virus,” Austin informed reporters touring with him this Saturday. “A million people died in the United States of America. We lost hundreds in DOD. So this mandate has kept people healthy.”
“I’m the guy” who ordered the army to require the vaccine, Austin added. “I support continuation of vaccinating the troops.”
Last yr Austin directed that every one troops get the vaccine or face potential expulsion from the army; 1000’s of lively responsibility forces have been discharged since then for his or her refusal to get the photographs.
Source: www.bostonherald.com”