[Asia Economy Reporter Kwangho Lee] The Biden administration is reportedly considering lifting the COVID-19 vaccination mandate for U.S. military personnel, according to Reuters and other outlets on the 3rd (local time).
Kevin McCarthy, the House Minority Leader of the U.S. Republican Party, claimed in an interview with Fox News the previous day that a bipartisan agreement to repeal the military vaccine mandate was reached during a White House meeting attended by President Biden.
Leader McCarthy said, "Do you know what was achieved in the meeting and what will be included in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA)?" adding, "It is the removal of the vaccine mandate for our male and female service members." He continued, "We are working to resolve this," and emphasized, "I believe we will get it done."
However, Olivia Dalton, the White House Deputy Press Secretary, stated, "McCarthy proposed this to the President, and the President only expressed that he would consider it." She added, "The Secretary of Defense recommended maintaining the mandate, and the President supports his position," noting that "discussions regarding the NDAA are still ongoing."
The U.S. Department of Defense announced in September last year a vaccination mandate for 1.3 million active-duty troops and 800,000 National Guard and reserve members. At that time, many service members refused the vaccine, and Secretary Austin threatened to discharge them. Subsequently, thousands of active-duty soldiers were indeed discharged.
More than 20 Republican governors recently sent a letter to President Biden, requesting the repeal of the mandate, arguing that it has weakened the military's recruitment capabilities.
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