Urges US Congress to pass legislation to reinstate service members discharged for refusing COVID-19 vaccine.

SCR93

SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION No. 93

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

222nd LEGISLATURE

�

INTRODUCED FEBRUARY 5, 2026

Sponsored by:

Senator� JAMES W. HOLZAPFEL

District 10 (Monmouth and Ocean)

SYNOPSIS

���� Urges US Congress to pass legislation to reinstate
service members discharged for refusing COVID-19 vaccine.

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

���� As introduced.

��

A
Concurrent Resolution
urging the United
States Congress to pass H.R.7570 establishing certain protections for
individuals involuntarily separated from the United States Armed Forces solely
on the basis of refusing to receive vaccinations against COVID-19.

Whereas,

In 2021 the Biden administration announced that members of the United States
Armed Forces were required to be vaccinated against COVID-19; and

Whereas,

After refusing to receive the vaccine, some members of the Armed Forces were
disciplined and were discharged from the Armed Forces; and

Whereas,

In some cases, the discharges received were general discharges under honorable
conditions rather than honorable discharges, diminishing the contributions
individuals have made to protect our country, possibly damaging their records,
and possibly reducing their eligibility for certain benefits; and

Whereas,

United States House of Representatives Bill No.7570 was introduced by
Representative Christopher H. Smith of this State on April 25, 2022 in order to
rectify the injustice faced by the discharged service members; and

Whereas,

Through the legislation a service member has the opportunity to be reinstated
to the United States Armed Forces, to change their discharge characterization,
and ensure their access to retired pay and benefits; and

Whereas,

New Jersey is grateful for the sacrifices that members of the military have
made in service to this nation and honors the importance of continuing to
recognize those contributions through respect for individual choices; now,
therefore,

����
Be It
Resolved
by the Senate of the State of New
Jersey (the General Assembly concurring):

���� 1. The Legislature of the
State of New Jersey respectfully urges the United States Congress to pass
H.R.7570.

���� 2. Copies of this resolution,
as filed with the Secretary of State, shall be transmitted by the Secretary of
the Senate or the Clerk of the General Assembly to the Speaker and Minority
Leader of the United States House of Representatives, the Majority and Minority
Leaders in the United States Senate, and every member of Congress elected from
this State.

STATEMENT

���� This concurrent resolution
urges the United States Congress to pass H.R.7570, which would establish
certain protections for individuals involuntarily
separated from the United States Armed Forces solely on the basis of refusing
to receive vaccinations against COVID-19.

���� COVID-19
vaccinations became mandatory for members of the Armed Forces in 2021.� Those
service members who did not wish to receive a vaccine were discharged, in some
cases with a general discharge under honorable conditions.� These discharges
may create issues for future employment and minimize the contribution and
commitment made by members of the United States Armed Forces.�

���� H.R.7570
would reinstate service members to their previous rank and grade, upon their
request and change the discharge of an individual to honorable.� New Jersey
recognizes the contributions of members of the Armed Forces and the importance
of their service to our nation.�
�