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AMERICANS Act

USA119th CongressHR-511| House 
| Updated: 1/16/2025
Pat Harrigan

Pat Harrigan

Republican Representative

North Carolina

Cosponsors (29)
Paul A. Gosar (Republican)Gregory F. Murphy (Republican)Robert F. Onder (Republican)Keith Self (Republican)Michael Baumgartner (Republican)Andrew Ogles (Republican)Derek Schmidt (Republican)Brad Knott (Republican)Michael A. Rulli (Republican)Brian Jack (Republican)Rudy Yakym (Republican)Anna Paulina Luna (Republican)Mike Kennedy (Republican)Brad Finstad (Republican)Tony Wied (Republican)Troy E. Nehls (Republican)Mark B. Messmer (Republican)Mike Haridopolos (Republican)Troy Downing (Republican)Abraham J. Hamadeh (Republican)Addison P. McDowell (Republican)Riley M. Moore (Republican)Derrick Van Orden (Republican)Marlin A. Stutzman (Republican)John J. McGuire (Republican)Tom Barrett (Republican)Chuck Edwards (Republican)Mark Harris (Republican)Craig A. Goldman (Republican)

Armed Services Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
This legislation, known as the AMERICANS Act, aims to provide comprehensive remedies for members of the Armed Forces who were discharged or subjected to adverse actions solely because of the COVID-19 vaccine mandate. A key provision prohibits the Secretary of Defense from issuing any new COVID-19 vaccine mandate as a replacement for the previously rescinded one, unless expressly authorized by a further Act of Congress. The bill outlines several remedies for affected service members, including the adjustment of discharge status to an honorable discharge if separation was based solely on vaccine refusal and would have otherwise been honorable. It also allows for the reinstatement of members to their highest grade held prior to involuntary separation and provides for compensation for any lost pay and benefits due to adverse actions. Furthermore, the bill mandates the expungement of any adverse actions or references related to COVID-19 vaccination status from service records. Additionally, the legislation directs the Secretary of Defense to make every effort to retain unvaccinated members, ensuring they receive equal professional development, promotion, and leadership opportunities. It restricts the consideration of COVID-19 vaccination status for deployment or assignment decisions, allowing it only when required by foreign law for necessary roles, and establishes a process for exemptions based on natural immunity, health conditions, or sincerely held religious beliefs. Finally, the bill terminates any obligation for former service members, separated due to vaccine refusal, to repay bonuses they received. It also ensures that any such repayments made prior to the enactment of this Act will be reimbursed to the former members, and these remedies apply regardless of whether an accommodation was previously sought.
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Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 117-7936
AMERICANS Act

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 118-453
AMERICANS Act
Jan 16, 2025

Latest Companion Bill Action

S 119-117
Introduced in Senate
Jan 16, 2025
Introduced in House
Jan 16, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 117-7936
    AMERICANS Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 118-453
    AMERICANS Act


  • January 16, 2025

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    S 119-117
    Introduced in Senate


  • January 16, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • January 16, 2025
    Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.

Armed Forces and National Security

Related Bills

  • S 119-117: AMERICANS Act
Administrative remediesCardiovascular and respiratory healthImmunology and vaccinationInfectious and parasitic diseasesMilitary personnel and dependents

AMERICANS Act

USA119th CongressHR-511| House 
| Updated: 1/16/2025
This legislation, known as the AMERICANS Act, aims to provide comprehensive remedies for members of the Armed Forces who were discharged or subjected to adverse actions solely because of the COVID-19 vaccine mandate. A key provision prohibits the Secretary of Defense from issuing any new COVID-19 vaccine mandate as a replacement for the previously rescinded one, unless expressly authorized by a further Act of Congress. The bill outlines several remedies for affected service members, including the adjustment of discharge status to an honorable discharge if separation was based solely on vaccine refusal and would have otherwise been honorable. It also allows for the reinstatement of members to their highest grade held prior to involuntary separation and provides for compensation for any lost pay and benefits due to adverse actions. Furthermore, the bill mandates the expungement of any adverse actions or references related to COVID-19 vaccination status from service records. Additionally, the legislation directs the Secretary of Defense to make every effort to retain unvaccinated members, ensuring they receive equal professional development, promotion, and leadership opportunities. It restricts the consideration of COVID-19 vaccination status for deployment or assignment decisions, allowing it only when required by foreign law for necessary roles, and establishes a process for exemptions based on natural immunity, health conditions, or sincerely held religious beliefs. Finally, the bill terminates any obligation for former service members, separated due to vaccine refusal, to repay bonuses they received. It also ensures that any such repayments made prior to the enactment of this Act will be reimbursed to the former members, and these remedies apply regardless of whether an accommodation was previously sought.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 117-7936
AMERICANS Act

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 118-453
AMERICANS Act
Jan 16, 2025

Latest Companion Bill Action

S 119-117
Introduced in Senate
Jan 16, 2025
Introduced in House
Jan 16, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 117-7936
    AMERICANS Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 118-453
    AMERICANS Act


  • January 16, 2025

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    S 119-117
    Introduced in Senate


  • January 16, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • January 16, 2025
    Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.
Pat Harrigan

Pat Harrigan

Republican Representative

North Carolina

Cosponsors (29)
Paul A. Gosar (Republican)Gregory F. Murphy (Republican)Robert F. Onder (Republican)Keith Self (Republican)Michael Baumgartner (Republican)Andrew Ogles (Republican)Derek Schmidt (Republican)Brad Knott (Republican)Michael A. Rulli (Republican)Brian Jack (Republican)Rudy Yakym (Republican)Anna Paulina Luna (Republican)Mike Kennedy (Republican)Brad Finstad (Republican)Tony Wied (Republican)Troy E. Nehls (Republican)Mark B. Messmer (Republican)Mike Haridopolos (Republican)Troy Downing (Republican)Abraham J. Hamadeh (Republican)Addison P. McDowell (Republican)Riley M. Moore (Republican)Derrick Van Orden (Republican)Marlin A. Stutzman (Republican)John J. McGuire (Republican)Tom Barrett (Republican)Chuck Edwards (Republican)Mark Harris (Republican)Craig A. Goldman (Republican)

Armed Services Committee

Armed Forces and National Security

Related Bills

  • S 119-117: AMERICANS Act
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Administrative remediesCardiovascular and respiratory healthImmunology and vaccinationInfectious and parasitic diseasesMilitary personnel and dependents