The Sconi

U.S. Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-Allouez) recently introduced legislature in the House seeking to ban use of federal funds to verify the vaccination status of citizens.

The No Vax Pass Act would forbid states and local governments from using federal dollars to develop vaccine verification programs such as controversial vaccine passports. Gallagher’s main concern and reason for pushing the act is to protect the personal privacy of American citizens, according to the Green Bay Reporter.

“Vaccine passports are a terrible idea that raise significant privacy concerns and make no sense given current rates of vaccination, natural immunity and infections,” Gallagher said in a statement. “At a minimum, Congress should ensure that federal dollars don’t go to developing systems that will limit Americans' ability to live their lives and provide for their families. This bill takes important steps to keep tax-payer dollars away from funding unnecessary government interference.”

According to the latest count by Ballotpedia, 17 U.S. states, all of them led by Republican governors, have banned proof-of-vaccine requirements through laws or executive orders. 

Three states, New York, Hawaii and Oregon—led by Democratic governors, have implemented measures to exempt fully vaccinated individuals from COVID-19 restrictions—as long as they can provide proof of vaccination.

According to the text of the act itself, COVID-19 relief funds can still be used by health care and educational institutions for vaccination verification within normal bounds.