Trump’s order ending funding for colleges mandating COVID vax gets House help

Lawmakers are set to introduce a new bill on Monday that will give legal backing to President Donald Trump’s executive order banning federal funds from going to colleges that require students to get a coronavirus vaccine. Reps. Mark Messmer of Indiana and August Pfluger of Texas will be proposing the No Vaccine Mandates in Higher Education Act, citing the end of the national emergency for COVID-19 in April 2023 by former President Joe Biden.

In an exclusive statement to Fox News Digital, Pfluger emphasized how the pandemic led to a series of intrusive policies and mandates from various entities. He expressed his commitment to restoring common sense and liberties to the American people through this legislation, ensuring that universities cannot impose COVID-19 vaccine mandates on their students.

The bill specifies that no federal funding can be allocated to any institution of higher education that enforces COVID-19 vaccination as a prerequisite for enrollment, employment, or any benefits or services. Trump had previously criticized such mandates, arguing that individuals should have access to accurate information on the risks associated with COVID-19 and be free to make their own decisions.

A survey conducted in February by Best Colleges identified 15 schools across the country, particularly in California, Georgia, and Pennsylvania, that still maintained COVID vaccine requirements. During the federal emergency, universities like Columbia and Princeton implemented booster shot mandates for certain student groups. Columbia, for instance, required booster doses for study-abroad students, while Princeton made boosters a prerequisite for on-campus activities in 2022.

In light of these developments, the No Vaccine Mandates in Higher Education Act aims to protect individual freedoms and parental rights while addressing the issue of COVID-19 vaccination requirements in educational institutions. By prohibiting the use of federal funds for colleges with such mandates, the bill seeks to uphold personal choice and autonomy in healthcare decision-making.

The proposed legislation reflects a broader effort to roll back pandemic-related restrictions and restore a sense of normalcy to daily life. As the debate over vaccine mandates continues, lawmakers are taking proactive steps to safeguard constitutional rights and promote transparency in public health policies.