Press Releases

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Mark Messmer (R-IN) announced the introduction of the No Vaccine Mandates in Higher Education Act.  This legislation codifies President Trump’s February executive order withholding federal funds for any college or university that continues to mandate a required COVID-19 vaccination. 

“It is unbelievable that even today, two years after the COVID-19 emergency was officially declared dead and gone, there are still learning institutions across this country persecuting students and staff with unnecessary vaccine mandates,” said Rep. Messmer. “The No Vaccine Mandates in Higher Education Act assures the American people that Congress and President Trump recognize this continued injustice and will work together to restore the civil liberties and freedom from government overreach that all Americans richly deserve.”

The No Vaccine Mandates in Higher Education Act ensures that no federal funds will be made available to any institution of higher education that requires studets or staff to receive a COVID-19 vaccine as a condition of receiving any benefit, service or contract, or as a requirement for employment or attendance.  

BACKGROUND:

During the COVID-19 pandemic, many higher education institutions implemented vaccine mandates for their students and staff. These mandates affected individual liberties of students and teachers around the country who wished not to take the vaccine.

Some institutions ended their overreaching vaccine requirements after the Biden Administration announced the end of the COVID-19 national public health emergency. 

But there are still far too many U.S. education institutions that continue to retain unnecessary COVID-19 vaccine mandates for students and teachers. 

To read the full text of the bill, click here.

To learn more about the work Rep. Messmer is doing for Indiana’s 8th Congressional District, click here.

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