Congress·In Committee·H.R. 511

AMERICANS Act

Congress proposes reinstatement, back pay, and record fixes for troops affected by COVID-19 vaccine actions

Jan 16, 2025·View on Congress.gov·Read full text

Part of: Congress Weighs Restitution for Troops Discharged Over COVID Vaccine Refusal

StalledNext up: A house committeeNo action in 18 months

This bill is currently sitting in the House Committee on Armed Services. It has not moved since January 2025, and nothing has happened with the proposal for about 17 months. Because most bills never receive a committee vote, this legislation is considered stalled.

Legislative Progress

House

No action since January 2025

Senate

President

Law

Key Points

Would block the Defense Department from bringing back a COVID-19 vaccine mandate unless Congress clearly approves it first.
Would require any service member discharged for refusing a COVID-19 vaccine order to be treated as having an honorable discharge.
Would let affected service members apply to be reinstated at their prior highest rank, with their separation time counted toward retirement pay.
Would require removing COVID-19 vaccine-related adverse actions from service records and paying back lost pay and benefits tied to those actions.
Would cancel bonus repayment debts for people separated over refusal and reimburse anyone who already repaid part of a bonus.

VeteransNational SecurityLabor EmploymentCivil Rights

Impact Analysis

Personal Impact

How this policy affects specific groups of people

Mixed Impacts(1)

Chronic Illness

Neutral

Positive Impacts(3)

Military Active

Helps

Military Veteran

Helps

Veterans Benefits

Helps

Milestones

2 milestones2 actions

Jan 16, 2025House

Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.

Jan 16, 2025

Introduced in House

The bill was officially filed and given a number. It now enters the legislative queue.

Source Information

Document Type

Congressional Bill

Official Title

AMERICANS Act

Bill NumberHR 511

Congress119th Congress

ChamberHouse of Representatives

Latest ActionReferred to the House Committee on Armed Services.

Data Sources

Congress.gov

Official legislative information

Read Full Bill Text

Sponsor

Cosponsors

(29)

R: 29

Analysis generated by AI. Always verify with official sources.

AMERICANS Act

Legislative Progress

Key Points

Impact Analysis

Personal Impact

Milestones

Related News

WSOC TV: AMERICANS Act would reinstate service members fired for refusing COVID-19 vaccine

The Pentagon moves to take back troops discharged over COVID-19 vaccine refusals

Marines and soldiers discharged for refusing the COVID-19 vaccine show limited interest in rejoining

Source Information

Data Sources

Sponsor

Cosponsors