Issa Responds to Marine Corps Decision to Roll Back Biden Vaccine Mandate

Statement

Congressman Darrell Issa (CA-50) issued the following statement following the disclosure that the U.S. Marine Corps is rolling back severe sanctions and punishments for Marines seeking religious exemptions to the COVID-19 vaccine. This includes ending terminations and delays of promotions to higher rank.

"More than a year ago, my office began the fight to stand up for the right of religious accommodation for our service members and against the destructive mistake that is the Biden military COVID-19 vaccine mandate -- which is ruining troop morale, negating force readiness, and destroying the lives of our best and bravest."

"While today's action is welcome relief for the hundreds of Marines fighting for the rights and careers, it is too little and too late for the hundreds of careers of service and lives of honor that are now irreparably damaged by the Biden mandate. The fact that this new regulation was also posted online with no warning or notice only confirms that this Administration knows it can't defend the indefensible to the American people."

"But nothing ends here. The entirety of the Biden mandate must be repealed immediately," said Issa.

Rep. Issa is a leading opponent of the Biden mandate, publishing an op-ed in Fox News outlining the full scope of how he led Congressional support of our active-duty military, in addition to the National Guard and Reserve forces. Issa also offered an amendment to floor legislation to prevent funding to be used to enforce the mandate for Guard and Reserve forces.

He also created a portal on his website for service men and women being threatened with discharge from the military. More than 1,000 military personnel have been in contact with Rep. Issa's office seeking assistance.

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