Rep. Greg Steube (R-FL) recently introduced the Guaranteeing Religious Accommodation in Childhood Education (GRACE) Act, which blocks federal funding from schools failing to honor religious exemption policies in vaccination requirements.
“No Federal education funds may be made available to an educational institution or agency that has a vaccination requirement, unless the institution or agency holds a policy wherein an individual may be exempted from the requirement “if such individual (or their parent or guardian, in the case of an individual who is a child) asserts that receiving the vaccination would violate a sincerely held religious belief” and “no documentation or other information is required to be submitted by the individual (or their parent or guardian) to support the validity of such assertion,” the bill states.
“Freedom of speech and religion is the most sacred right guaranteed under our Constitution,” said Steube. “No student or their family should ever be coerced into sacrificing their faith or jumping through loopholes to comply with a vaccine requirement. The GRACE Act reaffirms our country’s commitment to protecting religious freedom in the classroom.”
Reps. Mary Miller (R-IA), Dan Webster (R-FL), Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL), Paul Gosar (R-AZ), Barry Moore (R-AL), Lauren Boebert (R-CO), Glenn Grothman (R-WI), Nancy Mace (R-SC), Thomas Massie (R-KY), Randy Weber (R-TX), Rich McCormick (R-GA), Pat Harrigan (R-NC), Andy Ogles (R-TN), and Troy Downing (R-MT) are co-sponsoring the bill.
Several states, such as California, New York, Connecticut, and Maine, deny religious vaccine exemptions. Other states, such as West Virginia, have taken steps to support religious exemptions. Governor Patrick Morrisey (R) issued an executive order earlier this year permitting exemptions.
“Forcing those West Virginians to vaccinate their children despite their religious and moral objections substantially burdens the free exercise of religion in violation of the inherent religious liberties guaranteed by the Constitutions of the United States and West Virginia,” the order says.
