Congratulations to Congressman Clay Higgins!
A Health Freedom Louisiana Hero.
We have a few favorite legislators we know we can count on to advocate for the “average American” and who understand the ramifications of government infringement on the essential right to privacy we call “bodily autonomy.” These Health Freedom Louisiana Heroes have shown the courage to stand firm against the idiocy that has pervaded our country and our legislative bodies during the government’s response to the covid pandemic.
Congressman Clay Higgins has consistently drawn attention to the serious nature of Biden’s unconscionable and unconstitutional fiats, which have had disastrous effect on the American psyche and economy.
We want to draw attention to his noble efforts, especially this incredible legislation he brought forward in July 2021 to protect American employees from harmful vaccine mandates: Employee Rights and Freedoms Act.
Regarding the legislation, Higgins’ statement reads:
"Every American who wants a vaccine should receive it. However, the decision to get vaccinated or not is a personal and private medical decision. This bill is about individual rights. I support individual freedoms, and I certainly stand against oppression. Neither government nor private employers have the right to mandate medical procedures. We're drawing the line here. We, the People, will not be herded like sheep into medical procedures against our will."
Time and again, Congressman Higgins drew attention to medical mandates and the harms they caused. Consider the well reasoned arguments presented in the list of articles and editorials below.
Make employer vaccine mandates illegal — its a matter of individual rights
Employers across the country are telling their workers to take the vaccine or lose their jobs. As federal agencies and businesses move forward with COVID-19 vaccine mandates, workers are questioning what rights they have as individuals.
Under current law, an employee’s rights to challenge vaccine mandates are limited. That is a problem. Neither government nor private employers should have the right to mandate medical procedures, including a vaccine.
I have said many times that every American who wants the vaccine should receive it. The vaccine should be free, and it should be accessible. Because of the work completed under Operation Warp Speed, there are three COVID-19 vaccines widely available throughout the United States. However, the decision to get vaccinated or not is a personal and private medical decision. Workers should have the right to accept or refuse a COVID-19 vaccination.
That is why I introduced H.R. 4884, the Employee Rights and Freedoms Act, in the U.S. House of Representatives. Our bill would prohibit employers from forcing vaccine mandates on their employees. This is about individual rights. If passed, our legislation would do four things:
Make it unlawful employment practice to require an employee, or an applicant for employment, to undertake a medical procedure, including a vaccine.
Establish an exemption from required medical procedures based on an employee or applicant’s firmly held belief.
Require employers, in the event of an exemption, to provide reasonable accommodations enabling the employee to continue performing essential functions of their position.
Provide aggrieved individuals with a private right of action, to bring a civil suit in an appropriate federal district court of jurisdiction.
While I respect the right of private businesses to set conditions of employment, there must be a careful balance between an employer’s authority and employees’ rights. We are not talking about workplace attire, vacation policy, or office conduct. We are talking about permanent medical decisions and irreversible health procedures. We must draw a line here.
All three vaccines available in the United States are currently authorized for emergency use. They have not received full authorization through the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA). That does not mean that the vaccines are not safe and effective. However, the lack of full FDA authorization is a concern for many Americans, and it is legitimate. Ultimately, every individual should make their own decision on the vaccine in consultation with their physician.
I take no issue with private businesses incentivizing or encouraging vaccine uptake. However, there is a stark difference between encouraging and mandating compliance. I support individual freedoms, and I certainly stand against oppression. We all want to defeat COVID-19. We must do that without violating individual rights and with respect to every American’s freedoms. The Employee Rights and Freedoms Act does exactly that. It ensures every American can reach their own decision on the vaccine without being unfairly penalized by their employer.
For the past year and a half, our message has been consistent. We must continue to take this virus seriously while protecting Constitutional freedoms and preventing restrictive mandates. This is still America, and personal freedom still matters.
Congressman Clay Higgins represents Louisiana’s 3rd District in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Louisiana Congressman Clay Higgins: Biden's vaccine mandate stifles economic recovery
Excerpt:
The government response to COVID-19 has ushered in a frightening era of big government — unsustainable deficit spending, incentives that discourage work and overreaching mandates. Those policies have injured America’s economic recovery.
They have caused inflation to rise, created prolonged workforce shortages and threatened individual freedoms. This includes the overreaching federal vaccine mandate that President Biden has tried to impose on American businesses. In addition to creating major workforce issues, vaccine mandates have sowed incredible division.
Higgins Cosponsors Resolution Striking Down Biden’s Vaccine Mandate
"Biden's vaccine mandate is an unconstitutional abuse of executive authority. Patriots in Congress are fighting back… legally, peacefully, and within the parameters of the Constitution. We oppose this government oppression and will continue to challenge the federal vaccine mandate with legislation and in federal courts across America."
Higgins Urges DOD To Halt COVID Vaccine Mandate For U.S. Armed Forces
"Protecting Constitutional freedoms and preventing oppression of American rights is our glorious duty. Be advised… any failure of administration officials to follow federal law will warrant a full Congressional response," Congressman Higgins continued. "Further, the current reported plan to force vaccinations on military personnel prior to full FDA approval will rightfully bring forth a strong Article III challenge on many fronts. This is still America, good Sir. Freedom matters."
Higgins, Oversight Republicans: Biden’s Vaccine Mandate Threatens Americans’ Food Supply
Congressman Clay Higgins (R-LA), House Committee on Oversight and Reform Ranking Member James Comer (R-KY), and Oversight Republicans called on U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack to delay the implementation of President Biden's vaccine mandate for USDA employees until the department can explain how it will make up for the potential loss in staff. The Republican lawmakers express concern with current vacancies at the Farm Service Agency (FSA) and the vaccine mandate's potential to impair our economy, food supply, and national security.
I was unaware of this legislation proposed by Congressman Higgins. Thank you, Congressman, for fighting for our freedoms and standing up to medical tyranny. Ideally, those who were fired because of noncompliance should be rehired if they should want their old jobs back.