Restoring Normalcy in America Act

Bill: 118-hr-271
Sponsor: Rep. Estes, Ron [R-KS-4]
Introduced: 2023-01-11 in the House
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Accounting and auditing
Cardiovascular and respiratory health
Congressional oversight
Drug therapy
Employment discrimination and employee rights
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Government studies and investigations
Health programs administration and funding
Immunology and vaccination
Infectious and parasitic diseases
Military personnel and dependents

Summary:
action_date: 2023-01-11
text: 

Restoring Normalcy in America Act

 
This bill provides civil rights and employment protections for individuals based on their refusal to receive a COVID-19 vaccine and addresses other matters concerning the COVID-19 pandemic.
 
Specifically, the bill prohibits discrimination in places of public accommodation and in federally assisted programs based on an individual's COVID-19 vaccine refusal. In addition, the bill prohibits employers from discriminating against such individuals, including discrimination related to hiring, compensation, advancement, or other employment opportunities.
 
Further, the bill makes it unlawful for an employer to fail to offer any employee who was discharged for a COVID-19 vaccine refusal a position at an equal level and rate of pay to the position the employee held prior to discharge.
 
In particular, the bill provides for the reinstatement of any member of the Armed Forces or federal employee who was involuntarily separated because of a COVID-19 vaccine refusal at the request of an affected individual. Any adverse action related to a COVID-19 vaccine refusal must be removed from an affected individual's military record or personnel file.
 
Additionally, the bill (1) terminates the authority of the Food and Drug Administration to authorize under emergency procedures any drugs, biological products, or devices to prevent or treat COVID-19; and (2) requires the Department of Health and Human Services to study the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines and treatments, preparedness for future pandemics, and related matters.
 
The Government Accountability Office must also audit certain federal funding for COVID-19 activities and programs.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-01-20
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
action_date: 2023-01-11
text: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Education and the Workforce, the Judiciary, Armed Services, and Oversight and Accountability, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2023-01-11
text: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Education and the Workforce, the Judiciary, Armed Services, and Oversight and Accountability, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2023-01-11
text: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Education and the Workforce, the Judiciary, Armed Services, and Oversight and Accountability, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2023-01-11
text: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Education and the Workforce, the Judiciary, Armed Services, and Oversight and Accountability, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2023-01-11
text: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Education and the Workforce, the Judiciary, Armed Services, and Oversight and Accountability, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2023-01-11
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H159)
action_date: 2023-01-11
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2023-01-11
text: Introduced in House