Senate sends Biden military bill that would lift Covid vaccine mandate for troops and authorize more Ukraine funding

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: NBC News

The Senate on Thursday passed a massive military policy bill that would direct the Defense Department to lift a Covid vaccine mandate for service members and authorize $858 billion in defense spending.

The National Defense Authorization Act, the annual bill that authorizes Pentagon spending and policies, cleared the Senate in a 83-11 vote. It passed the House in a 350-80 vote last week.

The legislation now heads to President Joe Biden’s desk for his signature.

The bipartisan bill authorizes funding for Taiwan and Ukraine and a 4.6% pay increase for troops. It also would do away with the military vaccine mandate, a Republican priority. Democratic leaders allowed for the new Covid language in an effort to ensure timely passage of the bill.

Read more: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/senate-passes-military-bill-lift-covid-vaccine-mandate-rcna62021

[Freethinker65]

1. One assumes all currently enlisted have been vaccinated.

This is still silly. But one can always reinstate a mandate for a new vaccine to lessen risk from a new variant of COVID.

[former9thward]

5. The military has a healthy amount of turnover.

And no, the bill would not allow a new mandate.

[Freethinker65]

6. It would not prevent it. Are all vaccinations for enlistment now optional?

[former9thward]

8. The language:

SEC. 525. RESCISSION OF COVID-19 VACCINATION MANDATE.

Not later than 30 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall rescind the mandate that members of the Armed Forces be vaccinated against COVID-19 pursuant to the memorandum dated August 24, 2021, regarding ‘‘Mandatory Coronavirus Disease 2019 Vaccination of Department of Defense Service Members

https://rules.house.gov/sites/democrats.rules.house.gov/files/BILLS-117HR7776EAS-RCP117-70.pdf

You may think the military can use technicalities with another Covid mandate. I don't.

[Freethinker65]

9. COVID-22

[former9thward]

10. There will not be a mandate.

[Freethinker65]

14. There never was

[groundloop]

2. Why in the hell did Democrats cave in on the vaccine mandate?????

Politicians shouldn't be interfering with the military in terms of readiness (and ensuring that a pandemic doesn't decimate our troops is most definitely a matter of force readiness). I don't understand why Democrats caved on that part of the bill.

[Phoenix61]

3. Because it was the only way to get it passed. nt

[MichMan]

4. It passed the Senate 83-11 and the House 350-80

It clearly had broad support to garner over 80% of the votes.

[BOSSHOG]

7. Dems are trying to ensure

Our defensive posture remains secure as the clock runs out. Republicans are playing dumbass games with our military readiness to placate their dumbass base showing broad support as the clock runs out. The party of dumbasses already have their strategy in hand when military mission(s) have to be scrubbed because of broad support. The basis. We are members of the party of responsibility, ergo we never take responsibility for anything except the good things we vote against. Russia and China don’t need military’s to defeat us. They have republicans in place here.

[Scalded Nun]

11. Big mistake lifting the mandate

Readiness of the force is a big concern.

[The Wizard]

12. The military demands

several vaccines. The Repubics focused on Covid because the fear works on their rubes and dupes. Why don't they make all vaccines for the military a choice?

[Mysterian]

13. What about military readiness?

Just going to let anti-vax kooks spread that shit in the ranks?