Republican senators are leading efforts to defund the federal vaccine mandates, warning President Joe Biden’s administration that they will not agree to the expedited passage of any funding legislation that furthers such mandates.
“History will bear record of whether we chose to endure tyranny, or oppose it, in this pivotal moment,” the senators wrote in a letter to the Biden administration dated March 4. “We invite you to stand with us and oppose the continued funding of these mandates.”
The letter is signed by Republican senators James Lankford of Oklahoma, Mike Lee of Utah, Ted Cruz of Texas, Steve Daines of Montana, Rick Scott of Florida, Roger Marshall of Kansas, Ron Johnson of Wisconsin, Mike Braun of Indiana, Cynthia Lummis of Wyoming, and Rand Paul of Kentucky.
“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,” the letter continues. “For legal, constitutional, and policy reasons, we remain strongly opposed to the mandates and will continue to work to end their imposition on Americans.”
Every Senate Republican has voted to defund the vaccine mandates, the senators noted, emphasizing that “this is a GOP conference position” and that “as such, it should be a part of the negotiation for inclusion in any spending bill.”
The senators demand a roll call vote on an amendment that would defund any remaining federal vaccine mandates on medical care providers, federal employees, government contractors, and members of the military.
“These COVID-19 vaccine mandates amount to a serious abuse of both federal power and executive authority,” the letter said. “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.”
The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Daily Wire.
Over 30 Republican congressmen also sent a letter Monday urging the Biden administration to end vaccine mandates for truckers coming across the United States border, Fox News first reported.
The House Republicans’ letter warns that the mandates may have a “catastrophic effect” on the supply chain crisis.
The letter comes as a trucker convoy makes its way around the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia areas, protesting COVID-19 restrictions and demanding freedom.
Convoy leader Brian Brase spoke to members of the convoy early Monday morning at Hagerstown Speedway in Maryland, where the convoy had camped out for the night. Brase told the assembled crowd that the convoy would not be entering the capital yet out of fear that it would be cast in the same light as the January 6, 2021, Capitol Riot.
“I am fearful, [myself] and the organizers are fearful of them trying to do to us what they did to those involved in Jan 6,” Brase said. “It is our belief that they will try to do that.”
US trucker convoy leader @brianbrase84: “I am fearful of them trying to do to us what they did to those involved in Jan 6. It is our belief that they WILL try to do that….that means at this time, meaning today, tomorrow, we are not and will not go into DC proper.” pic.twitter.com/oDPdIy8F7l
— Mary Margaret Olohan (@MaryMargOlohan) March 7, 2022