House Democrats blocked U.S. Representative Mark Green’s (R-TN-07) amendment late Tuesday to the National Defense Authorization Act which would have enabled guardsmen who refused the COVID-19 vaccine to stay employed.
Green’s amendment fought to protect National Guard and Reserve troops from being prohibited from paid training or education programs simply for their refusal to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.
“Last night, Democrats on the Rules Committee showcased what they prioritize: politics instead of our military men and women. My amendment to FY23’s National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) preserved National Guard and Reserve troops’ ability to participate in paid training and educational programs regardless of COVID-19 vaccination status,” said Green in a statement to The Tennessee Star.
“By rejecting my amendment, Democrats proved they are more concerned with making a headline than allowing our troops to carry out their duties. This callous move will result in a setback of our readiness, and I’m deeply disappointed,” added the representative.
In a statement listed on his official U.S House website, Green said, “Given the severe impacts on readiness from the tens of thousands of troops not being able to train, I fully expected Democrats on the Rules Committee to reach across the aisle and stand tall for our National Guard and Reserve troops. Sadly, that was only wishful thinking.”
Green noted his disappointment with both the Biden administration and his Democrat colleagues in the U.S. House of Representatives.
“The Biden administration’s continued unwillingness to compromise or give our servicemembers the respect they deserve is extremely disappointing. Now, Congress has let these men and women down, too. Our National Guard and Reserve troops are the backbone of our national security. They shouldn’t be denied paid training or education programs for refusing the COVID-19 vaccine. Now is not the time for setbacks in our Armed Forces. This move by Rules Committee Democrats is a slap in the face to the very ones who fight for us,” he said.
The Star previously reported that both U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) and Green had both sponsored legislation in the U.S. Senate and U.S. House, respectively, that would have enabled the National Guard soldiers who refused the COVID-19 shot mandate to keep their jobs.
Blackburn’s legislation is still pending in the U.S. Senate, but the House Democrats’ blockage in the U.S. House of Green’s amendment makes it more likely that the Tennessee General Assembly will have to step in to ensure the state guardsmen remain employed.
State Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson signaled that the Tennessee General Assembly is ready to take action, previously saying, “I can tell you in talking to my colleagues in the General Assembly – we are prepared to step up to the plate to make sure these brave men and women do not lose their jobs.”
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Aaron Gulbransen is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network. Email tips to [email protected]. Follow Aaron on GETTR, Twitter, Truth Social, and Parler.
Photo “Mark Green” and Background Photo “Mark Green with Troops” by Mark Green.
