Senate passes defense bill rescinding COVID vaccine mandate

Dec 16, 20220

Brandon Thibodeaux, New York Times count

FILE - A 15-year-old participating in ModernaÕs teen COVID-19 vaccine trial receives a shot in Houston of Feb. 5, 2021. The Food and Drug Administration is reviewing reports suggesting the coronavirus vaccine made by Moderna can cause heart problems in some adolescents, the company said on Sunday, Oct. 31, 2021. (Brandon Thibodeaux/The New York Times)

WASHINGTON - A bill to rescind the COVID-19 vaccine mandate for members of the U.S. military and provide nearly $858 billion for national defense passed the Senate on Thursday and now goes to President Joe Biden to be signed into law.

The bill provides for about $45 billion more for defense programs than Biden requested and roughly 10% more than last year's bill as lawmakers look to account for inflation and boost the nation's military competitiveness with China and Russia. It includes a 4.6% pay raise for servicemembers and the Defense Department's civilian workforce.

The Senate passed the defense policy bill by a vote of 83-11. The measure also received broad bipartisan support in the House last week.

https://www.startribune.com/senate-passes-defense-bill-rescinding-covid-vaccine-mandate/600236261/