WASHINGTON – Senator Kevin Cramer, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, joined Senator Marco Rubio in introducing the “Defending Freedom of Conscience for Cadets and Midshipmen Act.”
The legislation would protect cadets and midshipmen at the U.S. Air Force Academy, Naval Academy, Military Academy, Coast Guard Academy, and U.S. Merchant Marine Academy from being punished for their choice to not receive the COVID-19 vaccine.
The Air Force Academy recently announced unvaccinated seniors would not be commissioned. Cadets and midshipmen who do not commission could be forced to repay tuition, room, and board expenses for their time at the Academy.
Cramer said military academies should be focused on training their cadets and midshipmen, not imposing top-down COVID-19 vaccine mandates.