{"id":74381,"date":"2023-01-25T19:44:17","date_gmt":"2023-01-25T19:44:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/uncategorized\/2023\/01\/25\/troops-booted-over-covid-vaccines-would-get-jobs-back-under-gop-plan\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T15:04:31","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T15:04:31","slug":"troops-booted-over-covid-vaccines-would-get-jobs-back-under-gop-plan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/news\/pentagon-congress\/2023\/01\/25\/troops-booted-over-covid-vaccines-would-get-jobs-back-under-gop-plan\/","title":{"rendered":"Troops booted over COVID vaccines would get jobs back under GOP plan"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Republican lawmakers <\/a>are renewing calls for the Department of Defense to reinstate thousands of troops dismissed from the service last year for refusing to get vaccinated against COVID-19<\/a>, calling it a matter of fairness and readiness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOver 8,000 servicemembers were discharged because of the administration\u2019s unjust COVID vaccine mandate, and many were denied the benefits of honorable service,\u201d said Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., in a statement announcing new legislation on the issue. \u201cThis is an utter slap in the face to the brave men and women who have volunteered to defend our nation.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Earlier this month, Defense Department officials<\/a> ended the requirement that all service members receive the COVID-19 vaccine. That change was forced by members of Congress, who included the issue in the bipartisan defense authorization act<\/a> passed in December.<\/p>\n\n\n\t