[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 184 (Wednesday, October 20, 2021)]
[House]
[Page H5687]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                             A CRUEL CHOICE

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Tennessee (Mr. Burchett) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. BURCHETT. Mr. Speaker, forcing the Federal Government into 
Americans' private lives is Joe Biden's twisted idea of unity. It is 
sickening to me that this President is creating a situation where some 
Americans need to pick between keeping their jobs or taking the 
coronavirus vaccine.
  This is a cruel way to treat Americans trying to earn a living. Even 
worse, Biden's vaccine mandate applies to brave military soldiers 
willing to die for us, Federal contractors, and the intelligence 
community. If too many are forced out of their positions, it will 
jeopardize America's ability to assess and address threats.
  Mr. Speaker, you do not need to look very hard for possible 
consequences.
  Over the weekend, our government's top intelligence personnel were 
caught off guard by the People's Liberation Army's test of a hypersonic 
missile capable of traveling at 25,000 miles per hour. Imagine that 
missile flying toward the homeland and important government or military 
roles were vacant because folks were fired over the vaccine.

  Mr. Speaker, the result would be catastrophic.
  Biden needs to back off his tyrannical impulses and allow Americans 
to decide for themselves on the coronavirus vaccine. If he doesn't, 
talented folks are going to exit critical national security jobs, and 
this clueless President will blunder his way into yet another crisis.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Members are reminded to refrain from 
engaging in personalities toward the President.

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