Bill Overview
Title: AMERICANS Act
Description: This bill modifies the classification of discharge and remedies available to specified individuals who were discharged for failing to obey an order to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. Such individuals include members of the Armed Forces, individuals enrolled at a military service academy, or individuals enrolled in the Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps (JROTC) or Senior Reserve Officers' Training Corps (SROTC) program.
Sponsors: Rep. Johnson, Mike [R-LA-4]
Target Audience
Population: Individuals discharged or denied entrance into military programs due to COVID-19 vaccine refusal
Estimated Size: 150000
- The bill specifically targets individuals in the Armed Forces who were discharged due to their refusal to get the COVID-19 vaccine.
- It also covers individuals at military service academies, affecting students who did not comply with vaccination requirements.
- Further, it includes individuals in JROTC and SROTC programs, which are programs under the United States military.
Reasoning
- The individuals impacted by this policy are those in military-related fields who refused the COVID-19 vaccine, leading to discharge or prevention from enrolling in programs.
- The budget constraints suggest a focus on addressing grievances and potentially providing remedial or compensatory measures for these individuals, such as changes in discharge classification.
- The estimated number of impacted individuals (150,000 to 200,000) requires the budget to be carefully allocated to ensure meaningful assistance.
- The policy's effects might vary greatly depending on the individual's situation, i.e., active duty personnel, reservists, and academy students each have unique contexts.
Simulated Interviews
Former Army Personnel (Texas)
Age: 25 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I felt my discharge was unfair and affected my career prospects.
- The AMERICANS Act could restore my honor and possibly open new opportunities.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
ROTC Student (California)
Age: 22 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 3
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm worried about career setbacks.
- If this policy lets me reenroll, I'd like to continue my military path.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 3 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 5 |
Veteran (Virginia)
Age: 30 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 3
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Reclassification of my discharge would help in getting jobs.
- I hope the policy brings financial compensation to help with my bills.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 3 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 3 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 4 |
Former Navy Personnel (Ohio)
Age: 28 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I experienced difficulty finding civilian work after discharge.
- This policy could improve my job prospects by removing negative discharge stigma.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Career Officer (Florida)
Age: 34 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- While my stance didn't change, the loss of my career was devastating.
- Policy success means possible rectification of my discharge record.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
JROTC Student (South Carolina)
Age: 19 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I hope to have another chance to join the ROTC program.
- This is important for me and my family's values.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Ex-Marine (New York)
Age: 27 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I want my skills to be recognized more fairly in the job market.
- Reclassification under this policy could help bridge this gap.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
National Guard (Kansas)
Age: 32 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Having my record cleared would allow career progression.
- This policy addresses a gap in recognizing personal belief exemptions.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 5 |
Military Spouse Advocate (Alabama)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy could provide emotional relief to families.
- Restoration of benefits is crucial for affected families' welfare.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Veteran Affairs Counselor (Colorado)
Age: 39 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I see many veterans who are struggling.
- Policies like this provide hope for those feeling mistreated.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $150000000 (Low: $100000000, High: $200000000)
Year 2: $100000000 (Low: $75000000, High: $125000000)
Year 3: $50000000 (Low: $25000000, High: $75000000)
Year 5: $30000000 (Low: $10000000, High: $50000000)
Year 10: $15000000 (Low: $5000000, High: $25000000)
Year 100: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Key Considerations
- The policy primarily impacts administrative and legal processes within military institutions.
- There may be significant disparities in the degree to which individuals benefit, depending on how the discharge classifications affect future opportunities.