[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 24 (Friday, February 9, 2024)]
[Senate]
[Page S712]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

  SA 1515. Mr. TUBERVILLE submitted an amendment intended to be 
proposed to amendment SA 1388 submitted by Mrs. Murray (for herself and 
Mr. Schumer) and intended to be proposed to the bill H.R. 815, to amend 
title 38, United States Code, to make certain improvements relating to 
the eligibility of veterans to receive reimbursement for emergency 
treatment furnished through the Veterans Community Care program, and 
for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

        At the appropriate place, insert the following:

     SEC. __. PROHIBITION AGAINST ANY COVID-19 VACCINE MANDATE OR 
                   ADVERSE ACTION AGAINST DHS EMPLOYEES.

       (a) Limitation on Imposition of New Mandate.--The Secretary 
     of Homeland Security may not issue any COVID-19 vaccine 
     mandate unless Congress expressly authorizes such a mandate.
       (b) Prohibition on Adverse Action.--The Secretary may not 
     take any adverse action against a Department employee based 
     solely on the refusal of such employee to receive a vaccine 
     for COVID-19.
       (c) Report.--Not later than 90 days after the date of the 
     enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall report to the 
     Committee on Homeland Security of the House of 
     Representatives and the Committee on Homeland Security and 
     Governmental Affairs of the Senate on the following:
       (1) The number of Department of Homeland Security employees 
     who were terminated or resigned due to the COVID-19 vaccine 
     mandate.
       (2) An estimate of the cost to reinstate such employees.
       (3) How the Department would effectuate reinstatement of 
     such employees.
       (d) Retention and Development of Unvaccinated Employees.--
     The Secretary shall make every effort to retain Department 
     employees who are not vaccinated against COVID-19 and provide 
     such employees with professional development, promotion and 
     leadership opportunities, and consideration equal to that of 
     their peers.
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