Washington, D.C. – Senator Mike Lee (R-UT), who has long opposed federal Covid-19 vaccine mandates, sent a letter with Senator Roger Marshall (R-KS) and other senators asking Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin to provide information on the number and nature of military discharges for not receiving a Covid vaccine.  Reports show that more than 1,700 servicemembers have been discharged for their Covid vaccination status and many are being denied retirement or other service benefits as a result.

The letter reads in part, “While we are deeply troubled that the Department of Defense (DOD) is discharging U.S. military personnel as a result of their COVID-19 vaccination status,  we are outraged that these brave men and women are potentially being stripped of various benefits, including education benefits afforded to them under the G.I. Bill. Whatever disagreements public officials of varying ideologies and political parties may have, we can and should agree on the importance of ensuring the promises made to members of our Armed Forces are fulfilled.”

Sens. Lee and Marshall are joined in the letter by:

Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN)

Sen. Mike Braun (R-IN)

Sen. Mike Crapo (R-ID)

Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX)

Sen. John Hoeven (R-ND)

Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS)

Sen. James Lankford (R-OK)

Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY)

Sen. James Risch (R-ID)

Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL)

Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-AL)

Sen. Roger Wicker (R-MS)

For full text of the letter, click HERE.