S.117 - Allowing Military Exemptions, Recognizing Individual Concerns About New Shots Act of 2025; AMERICANS Act (119th Congress)
Summary
S.117, the AMERICANS Act, addresses adverse actions taken against members of the Armed Forces due to the COVID-19 vaccine mandate. It aims to provide remedies for those discharged or subjected to adverse actions. The bill also seeks to prevent future COVID-19 vaccine mandates without explicit congressional authorization.
Expected Effects
The bill would allow service members who were discharged or faced adverse actions due to the COVID-19 vaccine mandate to have their records corrected and be reinstated. It would also prohibit the Secretary of Defense from imposing new COVID-19 vaccine mandates without congressional approval. This could lead to a shift in military policy regarding vaccine requirements and individual exemptions.
Potential Benefits
- Restores honorable discharge status for those improperly discharged.
- Reinstates service members to their previous rank and pay.
- Compensates members for lost pay and benefits due to adverse actions.
- Expunges adverse actions from service records.
- Ensures fair consideration for unvaccinated members in retention and promotion opportunities.
Potential Disadvantages
- Potentially weakens the military's ability to respond to health crises.
- May create divisions within the military between vaccinated and unvaccinated personnel.
- Could set a precedent for challenging other military health requirements.
- May increase healthcare costs if unvaccinated members require more medical care.
- Potential impact on overall readiness if a significant number of service members remain unvaccinated.
Most Disadvantaged Areas:
Constitutional Alignment
The bill touches on individual liberties and the power of Congress to legislate military policy. The First Amendment could be invoked regarding religious exemptions to vaccine mandates. Article I, Section 8 grants Congress the power to raise and support armies, but this power is not unlimited and must be balanced against individual rights.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).