GOP senators draft bill to ban vaccine passport use by federal agencies

September 29, 2021 carleyshaffer1 US 0

WASHINGTON, DC - SEPTEMBER 28: Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL) listens during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on the conclusion of military operations in Afghanistan and plans for future counterterrorism operations at the Dirksen Senate Office building on Capitol Hill on September 28, 2021 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Stefani Reynolds-Pool/Getty Images)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – SEPTEMBER 28: Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) listens during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on the conclusion of military operations in Afghanistan and plans for future counterterrorism operations at the Dirksen Senate Office building on Capitol Hill on September 28, 2021 in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Stefani Reynolds-Pool/Getty Images)

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UPDATED 7:07 PM PT – Wednesday, September 29, 2021

A group of Republican senators drafted a bill to restrict vaccine passport requirements by federal agencies. The proposed legislation, titled the “Prevent Unconstitutional Vaccine Mandates for Interstate Commerce Act,” is backed by Sens. Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) and Mike Lee (R-Utah), among others.

The bill would ban proof of vaccination requirements for the purposes of commerce or travel. The vaccine passport ban would affect the Federal Aviation Administration, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), the Commerce Department and others.

GOP senators argued vaccine passports would undermine economic growth and infringe on constitutional rights.

“My Prevent Unconstitutional Vaccine Mandates for Interstate Commerce Act ensures that the Biden administration cannot require anyone to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination to do business across state borders, and protects Americans’ rights and privacy,” Scott explained.

Vaccines mandates will have a devastating effect on our economy.

Just one reason I’m happy to join @SenRickScott introduce the Prevent Unconstitutional Vaccine Mandates for Interstate Commerce Act. pic.twitter.com/Ujj5uv7AOK

— Senator Ron Johnson (@SenRonJohnson) September 30, 2021

Meanwhile, Texas Rep. Dan Crenshaw (R) said he plans to introduce a companion bill in the House.

“The last thing that Americans need right now is another mandate that further prevents hardworking citizens from having the freedom to live their lives. Americans should have the right to make the best decision for themselves when it comes to getting the COVID vaccine,” said Crenshaw. “As lawmakers, what we need to do is educate the public in an honest way about the vaccine, and then allow them to make the choice for themselves.”