Bill Overview
Title: Defending Freedom of Conscience for Cadets and Midshipmen Act of 2022
Description: This bill provides that a cadet or midshipman at a federal service academy (e.g., the U.S. Naval Academy) may not be required to be vaccinated for COVID-19 as a condition for graduation and may not be dismissed from the academy as a result of refusing to be vaccinated. Cadets and midshipmen who are prohibited from fulfilling their service agreement due to their refusal to receive a COVID-19 vaccination may not be subjected to repayment provisions (e.g., bonus repayment) or specified debt repayment collections.
Sponsors: Sen. Rubio, Marco [R-FL]
Target Audience
Population: Cadets and midshipmen at federal service academies
Estimated Size: 7700
- The bill affects cadets and midshipmen at federal service academies such as the U.S. Naval Academy.
- These academies include not only the Naval Academy but also others like the U.S. Military Academy (West Point), the U.S. Air Force Academy, the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy.
- Enrollment at each academy varies, but generally, each class at these service academies is composed of approximately 1,000 to 1,500 cadets or midshipmen.
- COVID-19 vaccination policies have been a contentious issue, affecting individuals who may refuse vaccination due to personal, religious, or medical reasons.
- The global impact may include non-U.S. citizens who are enrolled as international exchange students or trainees at these academies, though their numbers are relatively small.
Reasoning
- The policy directly impacts cadets and midshipmen at federal service academies, estimated at around 7,700 individuals, primarily U.S. citizens.
- The budget is focused on lost tuition repayments and potentially increased administrative costs due to alterations in graduation conditions and service agreements.
- Those not directly in academies may have their projections influenced culturally or sentimentally, increasing their subjective sense of freedom.
- Although 8,000 is the global estimate, the fiscal impact of this act is narrow, primarily keeping benefits within the United States service academies population.
Simulated Interviews
Midshipman (Annapolis, MD)
Age: 21 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I believe personal health decisions should not impact my educational status.
- This policy protects my rights without financial penalty.
- It could cause some operational issues at the academy.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 3 |
Cadet (Colorado Springs, CO)
Age: 18 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I support the overall aim but worry it may affect community health.
- I chose to be vaccinated, but I value having the choice.
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 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Cadet (New London, CT)
Age: 20 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm relieved that I won't face penalties for my choice about vaccines.
- Focus should be on training and readiness, not health mandates.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 4 |
Midshipman (Kings Point, NY)
Age: 22 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I appreciate being able to exercise personal choice.
- I hope this policy doesn’t create divisions among students.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Cadet (West Point, NY)
Age: 19 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I am not directly affected as I complied with the vaccine mandates.
- Good for those who wish for choice, but the overall training and environment should not compromise.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Former midshipman (Miami, FL)
Age: 23 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 3
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This law would have saved my educational trajectory within the academy.
- It is a win for personal rights and helps others who may face my situation.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 2 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 2 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 2 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 1 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 1 |
Midshipman (Baltimore, MD)
Age: 21 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Thanks to this policy, my future in the Navy is secure without the pressure to conform.
- There might be social consequences amongst peers but it's worth it for my health choices.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 3 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 3 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 3 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 3 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 3 |
Cadet (New London, CT)
Age: 19 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 1.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm neutral on this policy, as it doesn't affect my vaccination stance.
- Hopefully, it helps those who feel pressured.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 4 |
Midshipman (Kings Point, NY)
Age: 22 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This law eases a burden off my shoulders.
- My family's religious beliefs were significant, and this policy recognizes our right to them.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 3 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 2 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 2 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 2 |
Cadet (Colorado Springs, CO)
Age: 20 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's not a primary concern for me, as I'm vaccinated responsibly.
- Hopefully, it won't divert attention from academy missions.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $10000000 (Low: $5000000, High: $15000000)
Year 2: $10000000 (Low: $5000000, High: $15000000)
Year 3: $10000000 (Low: $5000000, High: $15000000)
Year 5: $11000000 (Low: $5500000, High: $17000000)
Year 10: $12000000 (Low: $6000000, High: $18000000)
Year 100: $15000000 (Low: $7500000, High: $20000000)
Key Considerations
- The bill affects only those in federal service academies and thus has a limited fiscal impact.
- Potential costs associated with uncollected debt or non-fulfilled service could vary depending on future service policy adjustments.