Washington, DC - Today, Congressman Van Drew issued the following statement slamming the Biden Administration for its authoritarian vaccine mandates on our military resulting in one of the worst years for Coast Guard recruitment. His statement comes after the U.S. Coast Guard announced that they will be offering up to $50,000 in signing bonuses as an attempt to recruit and retain personnel. 

"President Biden told all of America that the pandemic is over. Yet, our national security is in danger because of his extension of these authoritarian vaccine mandates," said Congressman Van Drew. "The United States military is faced with one of the most difficult recruiting years in decades, exacerbated by these COVID-19 vaccine mandates. For years, I have zealously advocated for Americans to exercise medical freedom over their health choices. Not only do these mandates not follow the science, but it is putting our military readiness at risk. We have already seen thousands of servicemembers get discharged based on their decision to not receive the COVID-19 vaccine, and now the Coast Guard is forced to deal with a recruiting crisis. President Biden needs to get off his high-horse, reverse these unconstitutional mandates on our military, and reinstate every servicemember who was discharged."

Congressman Van Drew has been an outspoken proponent for the United States military personnel to maintain their personal choice on whether or not they would receive the COVID-19 vaccine. He is an original cosponsor of a bill that would prohibit servicemembers from being discharged based solely on the refusal to receive a COVID-19 vaccination. He also sent a letter to the Secretary of Defense urging the reversal of the mandate, pointing to the fact that our Armed Forces is dealing with a recruitment and retention crisis.