The Vermont Republican Party have unanimously approved a resolution at its state committee meeting on July 10 to oppose vaccine passports in Vermont. The resolution comes in response to concerns over medical privacy and individual rights as described in the 4th amendment to the US constitution.
Nationally, liberal thought leaders, such as Naomi Wolf, have expressed concerns about such proposals to identify vaccinated persons versus those who are not. However, some Vermont Democratic lawmakers have suggested that persons entering the Vermont statehouse must show proof of vaccination for the upcoming session in 2022.
Republican Vermont lawmaker Vicki Strong submitted two bills in 2021 supporting health choice and opposing a vaccine registry or passport: H.283 and H.452, of which H.283 has bi-partisan support. The Vermont Republican Party intends the resolution to support the bills introduced by Strong. To date, the Democratically controlled legislature has not moved to take up either bill, nor schedule the bills for discussion in committee.
According to Vermont Republican Party Chair Deb Billado, "This resolution is an important proactive statement which declares the Vermont Republican Party is the party of freedom, protection of your privacy, and your right to make medical choices for you and your family. The Vermont motto of "Freedom and Unity" seems to be forgotten by many Democratic lawmakers. A vaccine passport would create a two tiered society and is an affront to our civil liberties."
The text of the resolution is as follows:
VTGOP Resolution Opposing a Vaccine Passport in Vermont
WHEREAS, the right of the people to be secure in their persons, papers and effects is protected by 4 th amendment to the U.S. Constitution, and
WHEREAS, the right to privacy concerning their health information is specifically protected by Federal HIPPA laws, and
WHEREAS, these rights are to be protected for the individuals, from both governments and third parties empowered and protected by governments
NOW, THEREFORE be it RESOLVED that WE, The Vermont Republican Party, oppose any government entity or its subdivisions, agents, or assigns, issuing vaccine passports, vaccine passes, other documentation regarding vaccine status in any form, or issuing legislation, for the purpose of certifying an individual's vaccination status to a third party, or otherwise publish or share any individual's vaccination record or similar health information, or require such identification for access to any government service, including education.
AND, FURTHER RESOLVED that WE also generally oppose public places of accommodation denying service, access or employment to any person based on their documented vaccination status.
Source: 7.13.2021 Montpelier, VT--The Vermont Republican Party