10/27/2021 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 10/27/2021 18:06
WASHINGTON-U.S. Senator John Boozman joined Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee (SVAC) Ranking Member Jerry Moran (R-KS) and all their Republican committee colleagues in seeking answers from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Denis McDonough on the vaccine mandate and how it will impact the VA's ability to provide services to veterans if the department terminates employees who choose not to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.
"With the November 22, 2021, vaccination deadline for all other VA employees approaching, Congress must assess the impact this policy is having on the ability for veterans to receive care and benefits from VA," the senators wrote. "We continue to encourage veterans, their families, and those that care for them to protect themselves from COVID-19 through vaccination, but we must ensure that VA has the capacity to continue to care for veterans."
In addition to Boozman and Moran, the letter was signed by SVAC members Sens. Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Mike Rounds (R-SD), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Dan Sullivan (R-AK), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Kevin Cramer (R-ND) and Tommy Tuberville (R-AL).
The signed letter can be found HERE and below.
Dear Mr. Secretary:
We write to request an update on the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) coronavirus disease vaccination program for VA personnel. VA set a deadline of October 8, 2021, for health care
professionals to receive the vaccine, but as of today, Congress has not yet received data from VA on vaccination rates or disciplinary actions the Department has taken or plans to take against employees who chose not to receive the vaccine. With the November 22, 2021, vaccination deadline for all other VA employees approaching, Congress must assess the impact this policy is having on the ability for veterans to receive care and benefits from VA. We continue to encourage veterans, their families, and those that care for them to protect themselves from COVID-19 through vaccination, but we must ensure that VA has the capacity to continue to care for veterans.
Please provide the following information:
Given the importance of this topic, please provide your responses no later than Friday, November 5, 2021.