Bill > S29

This bill, the "Allowing Military Exemptions, Recognizing Individual Concerns About New Shots Act of 2023" or the "AMERICANS Act," provides remedies for members of the Armed Forces who were discharged or subject to adverse action under the COVID-19 vaccine mandate. The key provisions include: (1) prohibiting the Secretary of Defense from issuing a new COVID-19 vaccine mandate without further Congressional authorization, (2) allowing members who were discharged solely for refusing the COVID-19 vaccine to have their discharge status changed to "honorable," (3) reinstating members who were involuntarily separated to their previous rank, (4) compensating members who faced adverse actions short of discharge, and (5) requiring the Secretary of Defense to make efforts to retain unvaccinated members and provide them with equal opportunities, while allowing for exemptions in certain deployment situations. The bill aims to address the impacts of the previous COVID-19 vaccine mandate on members of the Armed Forces.

Military Affairs and Security

https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/senate-bill/29/all-info