Lawmakers Call for Biden Administration to Reverse COVID-19 Vaccine Mandat as an ‘American Hero’ Faces Discharge
A group of Republican lawmakers is asking the Biden administration for a reassessment of the U.S. Coast Guard policy for “religious exceptions from the COVID-19 vaccine order,” which could lead to the involuntary dismissal of a serviceman whom President Joe Biden thanked for his “heroic” work.
Rep. Rep. Lauren Boebert, R.Colo., wrote Monday a letter to Biden and Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. The letter was about the COVID-19 vaccine mandate by the administration for U.S. Coast Guard personnel.
“Service members who have not received a COVID-19 vaccination risk involuntary administrative separation.” This policy has led to hundreds of servicemen from all branches being involuntarily discharged,” the letter stated.
The letter also mentioned Biden’s phone conversation with Aviation Survival Tech Second Class Zach Loesch last Month and praised Loesch for his efforts during Hurricane Ian. Lt. Cmdr. Christopher Hooper was also present at the call.
Loesch, who is said to have saved a wheelchair-bound woman, 94, and her husband by kicking through the wall and then lifting them into a helicopter, will be released from U.S. Coast Guard, as he didn’t get the COVID-19 vaccination. He had requested and was denied a religious exemption.
“Petty Officer Second-Class Zach Loesch is an American hero and he should be treated as such. Boebert stated that his rescue mission in response to Hurricane Ian may have been his last due to the vaccine mandate. He will be involuntary discharged within 30 to 60 days.” Boebert said in a statement to The Daily Signal.
Boebert stated that the federal government’s failures to respect religious freedom and allow exemptions has caused the military to lose talented personnel like Petty Officer Loesch.” “It’s high time to end these mandates, and support the religious freedom of our troops!”
The U.S. Coast Guard received more than 1,200 requests for religious exemptions, but approved only 12. Reps. Chip Roy, R.Texas; Dan Bishop R.N.C.; Andy Biggs R.Ariz.; and Diana Harshbarger R.Tenn. also signed the letter.
Loesch also spoke out about the mandate regarding vaccines and its impact on his job. He said that he feels “born to do” this.
“If I had asked any one of the people I saved yesterday whether they would like to come with me, even though I am not vaccinated,” Loesch stated.
“It’s just a pity that Biden thanked me, but the vaccine mandate is what’s driving me out. I love my job and it’s something I am very good at. It’s a pain. He said, “I feel like this is my job.”
Fox News reported that nearly 20,000 service personnel will be discharged in the coming months because of the COVID-19 vaccination mandate. During an interview with CBS last month, Biden stated that the COVID-19 Pandemic was over.
The Daily Signal asked for comment from the Department of Homeland Security, but they did not respond immediately.
Editor’s note: In the original version of this story, the number of Republicans that signed the letter was incorrectly stated.
Do you have a comment about this article? To sound off, please email [email protected] and we’ll consider publishing your edited remarks in our regular “We Hear You” feature. Include the article’s URL or headline, along with your name and the address of your town or state.
The Daily Signal – GOP Lawmakers Call for Biden Administration to Reverse COVID-19 Vaccine Mandat as an ‘American Hero’ Faces Discharge
