Texas Republican Sen. Ted Cruz introduced a joint resolution on Thursday to stop a Washington, D.C., COVID-19 vaccine mandate for K-12th grade students from going into effect.
The resolution seeks to use the Home Rule Act passed in 1973 that allows Congress to retain the right to oversee city governance in the District of Columbia.
The resolution was co-sponsored by Sens. Mike Lee (R-UT), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), and Roger Marshall (R-KS).
“No petty tyrant, whether in a federal agency, state governor’s mansion, or city council should be able to force COVID vaccines on children – much less threaten to take away their right to an education for not complying. COVID policies should be based on science and common sense, not the hysterical demands of radical liberal activists and union bosses who have no interest in what’s best for our children,” Cruz said in a statement.
COVID policies should be based on science and common sense, not the hysterical demands of radical liberal activists and union bosses who have no interest in what’s best for our children. 2/x https://t.co/hZ4vBJ1IqG
— Senator Ted Cruz (@SenTedCruz) January 21, 2022
Blackburn also encouraged D.C.’s schools to follow the example of her home state of Tennessee.
“Muriel Bowser and the rest of the Democrat party have proven they are willing to do anything to keep kids out of the classroom,” Blackburn said in the statement.
“The vaccine mandates have never been about science – they’re about big government controlling your life. It’s time for Washington to follow the example of the Volunteer State and do what’s best for our children and grandchildren,” she added.
Cruz also addressed the D.C. student vaccine mandate in a recent interview with The Daily Wire’s Ben Shapiro.
“I’ll tell you, the District of Columbia — the school board — voted to force every child in D.C. to get vaccinated. I’m introducing this week legislation in the Senate to reverse that order. Under the Constitution, the District of Columbia is under the authority of Congress,” Cruz told Shapiro.
“The school board has no right to force you to get your five year old vaccinated. If you want to vaccinate your kid, vaccinate your kid. But if you don’t want to, who are these petty authoritarians trying to make this decision for you? And sadly, it’s a pattern we’re seeing across the board,” he added.
The Daily Wire previously reported on the District of Columbia Democratic Mayor Muriel Bowser’s plans to enforce proof of vaccination for many city establishments, along with the announcement of the student vaccine mandate.
The vaccine mandate went into effect on January 15. The student vaccine mandate is set for March 1:
Washington, D.C.’s Democratic Mayor Muriel Bowser announced Wednesday that individuals ages 12 and up will be required to show proof of vaccination — meaning at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine — starting January 15, 2022.
In response, Congressman Thomas Massie (R-KY) called on Congress to re-assert its constitutional right to the exclusive jurisdiction over the nation’s capital while others pointed out how the vaccine will impact D.C. citizens and business owners.
Individuals will be required to prove their vaccination status by either an original or copy-photo of their vaccine card or a digital passport at restaurants, bars, nightclubs, indoor cultural and entertainment facilities, indoor exercise and recreational establishments, and indoor event and meeting establishments.
Likewise, beginning March 1, 2022, all eligible students in D.C. will be required to receive the COVID-19 vaccine:
#BREAKING Proof of vaccination will be required in D.C. at restaurants, bars, nightclubs, some indoor entertainment facilities & indoor gyms pic.twitter.com/RQ3DbkhRAR
— Anna-Lysa Gayle (@AnnaLysaGayle) December 22, 2021