Wenstrup to Hold Hearing on Consequences of COVID-19 Vaccine Mandates

WASHINGTON — Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic Chairman Brad Wenstrup (R-Ohio) will hold a hearing titled “Because I Said So: Examining the Science and Impact of COVID-19 Vaccine Mandates” to evaluate the necessity and effectiveness of overreaching COVID-19 vaccine mandates and consider the erosion of public trust that stemmed from coercive vaccination policies.

On August 24, 2021, the federal government issued its first COVID-19 vaccine mandate, which was subsequently followed by four additional, major federal mandates and a multitude of state mandates that harmed American society, businesses, and schools. Contrary to what was promised by some, the COVID-19 vaccine mandates not only failed to stop the spread of the virus, but also potentially compromised American military readiness.

As we look back at actions taken by the federal government during the COVID-19 pandemic, it is necessary to scrutinize the consequences of government mandates—especially those that infringed on sacred individual liberties—to issue informed future recommendations.

“The Biden Administration disregarded medical freedom, patient-physician relationships, and clear scientific standards to impose a novel vaccine on millions of Americans without sufficient evidence to support their policies. ‘Because I told you so’ might be a tactic parents deploy to coerce a child to behave differently, but it does not provide a satisfactory basis for the federal government to compel millions of healthy Americans —many with infection acquired natural immunity— to receive the vaccine.

“Doctors were taken completely out of the COVID-19 vaccine mandate conversation, only to be replaced by politicians and government officials who deepened distrust in public health. Mandates, at all levels, trampled individual freedoms and increased vaccine hesitancy that will likely persist for years. Americans want to be educated, not indoctrinated. This hearing will provide an opportunity to delve into the science of COVID-19 vaccine mandates and give notable witnesses a platform to share their stories about the immense consequences of these policy decisions,” said Chairman Wenstrup.

WHAT: Hearing titled “Because I Said So: Examining the Science and Impact of COVID-19 Vaccine Mandates”

DATE: Thursday, July 27, 2023

TIME: 2:00 PM ET

LOCATION: 2154 Rayburn House Office Building

WITNESS:

*Stay tuned* 

The hearing will be open to the public and press and will be livestreamed online at https://oversight.house.gov/.

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