Originally published April 18, 2023 7:00 am PDT
On Tuesday, U.S. Representative George Santos (R-NY) introduced the “Medical Information Nuanced Accountability Judgement Act” (HR 2631), also known as the MINAJ Act, which would prohibit the government from forcing any individual to receive a vaccine that has not been authorized for marketing for at least ten years.
The bill is apparently named after rapper Nicki Minaj, who made headlines in 2021 for voicing her skepticism toward the COVID-19 vaccine after an acquaintance of hers received the jab and later “became impotent,” suffering other adverse reactions.
Announcing the legislation, Rep. Santos said in a press release, “Medical Freedom is an absolute right. I urge my colleagues to join me in this mission to block tyrannical and draconian measures from being utilized by the Federal Government.”
“If a public health emergency has been declared, then the federal agency looking to impose the mandate must submit a report to Congress and highlight the intent as well as the research behind the vaccine,” the New York representative went on to say.
The proposed legislation ensures “the Federal Government shall not establish, implement, or enforce any mandate requiring an individual to receive a vaccine that has not been authorized for marketing for at least ten years unless a public health emergency is declared.”
The press release notes that COVID vaccines “don’t protect from breakthrough infection,” which means that “unvaccinated Americans should no longer face different rules for masking, quarantines, and other intrusive measures.”
The release emphasizes that vaccination mandates have “disproportionately impacted individuals working in healthcare facilities, hospitals, the military, and other federal vendors, and contractors.”
It also mentions school districts had been mandated to vaccinate students in order to reflect the CDC’s guidance.
Rep. Santos recently announced his reelection bid, writing in a Twitter post, “I am proudly announcing my bid for re-election for #NY03. This is about TAKING BACK our country and restoring greatness back to New York.”
