On Friday, Ted Cruz took the initiative to introduce a bill that forbids the federal government to establish COVID-19 passports or work with corporations to establish vaccine verification measures.
The bill was introduced alongside Senators Mike Braun (R-Ind.) and Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.) and the ban on COVID-19 vaccine passports would be in place for 5 years.
But if you ask me, that’s not far enough.
There should be a permanent ban on any sort of vaccine passport.
Period.
It’s pure discrimination and creates a two-tiered society.
They should be rejected outright.
Listen to Cruz explain the bill below:
This is a civil rights and individual liberty issue: There should be no federally mandated vaccine passport. pic.twitter.com/lOsXdj6Nwf
— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) May 28, 2021
🚨🚨🚨BREAKING NOW! 👇🏼https://t.co/J7ECt6T8Xj
— Stew Peters (@realstewpeters) May 28, 2021
I can’t believe I’m asking @tedcruz to save us from this with his new vaccine passport ban bill, but I am. https://t.co/v2IUYDaCfq
— Dr Naomi Wolf (@naomirwolf) May 29, 2021
https://twitter.com/makingitchrisg/status/1398655738654887943
Ted Cruz Introduces Bill to Block Biden Admin from Enacting Vaccine Passport Requirements https://t.co/M8IHhQguSx
— WND News (@worldnetdaily) May 28, 2021
Here’s from the press release:
U.S. Sens. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Mike Braun (R-Ind.), and Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.) today introduced legislation to stop the federal government from establishing COVID-19 passports or working with third parties to establish their own vaccine passports, such as airlines or other global entities. This bill imposes a five-year prohibition on any government vaccine mandate for vaccines first authorized by the FDA through an Emergency Use Authorization. As millions of Americans receive the COVID-19 vaccine, Texas and 11 other states have already passed legislation preventing statewide vaccine passport mandates.
Upon introducing this bill, Sen. Cruz said:
“Americans shouldn’t be discriminated against because of COVID-19 vaccine status – whether that is at work or in everyday life. Americans have a well-established right to privacy that any mandated vaccine passport would destroy. A vaccine passport would be discriminatory against people who, for whatever reason, do not get the COVID-19 vaccine. We should be encouraging individuals to receive the vaccine through increased patient protections, not mandating it.
“The truth is not everyone can receive the COVID-19 vaccine – for legitimate reasons. I got the vaccine because it was the right decision for me, but people should be free to make the decision that is right for them and consult with their doctor if they have concerns. Individuals who are unable to receive the vaccine should not be denied access to aspects of everyday life or the opportunity to participate in society. Mandating the vaccine or requiring all individuals to be fully vaccinated before returning to normal life could prevent America from fully reopening.”
Sen. Braun said:
“The COVID vaccines are a medical miracle and getting vaccinated is a personal decision some may choose not to make for a variety of reasons. I’m proud to stand with Senator Cruz against vaccine passports.”
Sen. Lummis said:
“The government should not be in the business of exposing Americans’ private health information. Our job should be to protect citizens’ privacy rights – that’s what the 4th Amendment of our Constitution is about. I’m proud to support Senator Cruz in this effort to protect people in Wyoming and across the country from federally issued vaccine passports and mandates.”
AMAC Action President Bob Carlstrom added:
“Senators Cruz’s ‘No Vaccine Passports Act’ legislation is needed to ensure protection of the health information of all Americans and we strongly support its enactment. Such information lies within the same class as other vaccination histories of individuals and is properly maintained in the course of confidential physician patient relationships. Certainly, in situations in which an employee has concerns concerning potential for workplace exposure, the bill addresses those questions in a fair and forthright manner by giving their resolution to the employer and employee.”
The Blaze added input:
The bill was announced on the same day that Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas said the Biden administration is “taking a very close look” at implementing vaccine passports for international travel.
“We’re taking a very close look at that, you know, one of our principles that has guided us throughout this pandemic is the value of diversity, equity, and inclusion, and making sure that any passport that we provide for vaccinations is accessible to all and that no one is disenfranchised,” Mayorkas said.
However, a DHS spokesperson later clarified that Mayorkas was referring to helping Americans travel internationally — not implementing a vaccine passport for Americans.
“We’ve always said we’re looking at how we can ensure Americans traveling abroad have a quick and easy way to enter other countries,” the spokesperson said, according to Axios. “That’s what the Secretary was referring to; ensuring that all U.S. travelers will be able to easily meet any anticipated foreign country entry requirements.”
While the government has not announced any intention to enact vaccine passports, New York introduced a verification program in the Empire State, while Oregon is also requiring proof of vaccination for maskless entry into businesses and churches.
Numerous other states, however, have enacted prohibitions against vaccine passports.
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