Since coming to the Senate in January, I have received thousands of letters, emails, and phone calls from constituents concerned about COVID-19, the vaccine, and mask and vaccine mandates. I hear your concerns, and I want to take a couple minutes to address those concerns.
COVID-19 is serious. It has already taken the lives of too many people in Wyoming, and each death is a travesty. My heart breaks for those who have lost family members to this devastating illness.
Our fear of this virus has sowed discord. It has also empowered the government to issue overreaching mandates. I want to be clear: this pandemic does not make the Constitution irrelevant. It does not mean our rights as private citizens are up for discussion.
While I don’t support vaccine mandates, I do support people’s decision to get the COVID-19 vaccine. Scientists have been researching and working for decades to make treatments like this vaccine possible. The Trump administration prioritized the development of this vaccine under Operation Warp Speed. I received the vaccine when I was eligible, however, I believe getting vaccinated, like any medical decision, is a decision you should make in consultation with your doctor, not because of a mandate from the federal government.
The recent mandates from the Biden administration are far reaching and beyond burdensome. They will not achieve the desired result of stopping the spread of COVID-19. Instead, they will spread further discord and further politicize health care. I also believe that it will worsen our employment problem.
The recent mandates from the Biden administration are far reaching and beyond burdensome. They will not achieve the desired result of stopping the spread of COVID-19. Instead, they will spread further discord and further politicize health care. I also believe that it will worsen our employment problem.
I am an original cosponsor of Senator Ted Cruz’s No Vaccine Passports Act. I am also in discussions with other Senate offices about legislation we can introduce to push back on these federal mandates. I will continue to advocate for an individual’s right to take charge of their own health care decisions.
I care deeply about each person in Wyoming, and I do hope you’ll consider getting this safe, effective vaccine to ensure that you are protected against this deadly virus, but I will oppose any mandate that forces you to take it.
As always, I hope you’ll reach out if you have questions or concerns I can help you with.