Today, Congress passed a law directing the Department of Defense to repeal its Covid vaccine mandate.

Although this is positive news for many, thousands of current military personnel are still excluded from this crucial legal protection.

While the law lifts the Covid vaccine mandate, it does not protect reinstated service members who were discharged for refusing the vaccine, nor does it prevent the military from punishing service members for requesting a religious accommodation to the vaccine mandate.

That’s why First Liberty’s lawsuit on behalf of thousands of our nation’s heroes is just as important now as it was when we filed it earlier this year.

Danielle Runyan, Senior Counsel, joins a special episode of First Liberty Live! to discuss what was passed today in Congress.

WATCH NOW »

Mike Berry, Director of Military Affairs for First Liberty had this to say about the update:

“Today’s action is a positive, commendable first step, but it does not resolve the ongoing religious discrimination in the military. Both the President and the Pentagon are on record as opposing this bill, so no doubt they will continue to attempt to punish the troops who have religious objections to the vaccine. That makes our legal defense of service members as important now as ever. First Liberty is the tip of the spear when it comes to religious liberty in the armed forces. That’s why we continue to fight on behalf of thousands of service members who never wavered in their commitment to our nation or to their faith. They are the true heroes today.”

Earlier in 2022, First Liberty won an injunction and class certification that protected not just our Navy SEALs but everyone in the Navy who requested a religious accommodation. And yet the Navy continues to fight this decision and we'll see them in the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals in February 2023.

Our brave military heroes are essentially being forced to choose between their faith or serving their country. This is outrageous, wrong and illegal. They’re protected by both federal law and military regulations to serve without having to compromise their beliefs or give up their religious liberty.

First Liberty will continue to keep fighting for our brave service members and their First Freedom. They have sacrificed so much and faithfully fought for us, and now it’s our turn to fight and win for them.