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To provide remedies to members of the Armed Forces discharged or subject to adverse action under the COVID-19 vaccine mandate.
2/5/2025, 9:06 AM
Summary of Bill HR 511
The bill addresses concerns raised by service members who have faced consequences such as discharge, demotion, or other adverse actions for refusing to comply with the COVID-19 vaccine mandate. It seeks to ensure that these service members have access to remedies and protections to address any negative impacts on their military careers.
Specifically, the bill outlines provisions for service members to seek review of adverse actions related to the COVID-19 vaccine mandate, including the opportunity to present evidence and arguments in their defense. It also establishes a process for service members to seek reinstatement or other remedies if they have been wrongfully discharged or subjected to adverse actions. Overall, Bill 119 HR 511 aims to protect the rights of service members in the Armed Forces who have faced consequences for their refusal to comply with the COVID-19 vaccine mandate. It seeks to ensure that these service members have access to fair and just remedies to address any negative impacts on their military careers.
Congressional Summary of HR 511
Allowing Military Exemptions, Recognizing Individual Concerns About New Shots Act of 2025 or the AMERICANS Act
This bill prohibits the Department of Defense (DOD) from issuing any COVID-19 vaccine mandate as a replacement for the rescinded vaccine mandate of August 24, 2021, unless the mandate is expressly authorized by Congress. The bill also provides that DOD must establish an application process for remedies for members of the Armed Forces who were discharged or subject to adverse action under the rescinded mandate.
Any administrative discharge of a member on the sole basis of a failure to receive a COVID-19 vaccine must be categorized as an honorable discharge, and DOD is prohibited from taking any adverse action against such a member for that reason.
DOD must try to retain unvaccinated members and provide such members with professional development, promotion and leadership opportunities, and consideration equal to that of their peers.
Additionally, DOD may only consider the COVID-19 vaccination status of members in making certain decisions (e.g., deployments in countries where it is the law) and must establish a process to provide exemptions to certain members for such decisions.
Members who were separated from the Armed Forces for refusing to receive a COVID-19 vaccine are not required to repay any bonuses and must be reimbursed if they repaid any portion of a bonus prior to this bill's enactment.
This bill applies to all members of the Armed Forces, regardless of whether they sought an accommodation to any DOD COVID-19 vaccination policy.
