83 Republicans, 211 Democrats vote against rehiring unvaccinated pilots

A House measure that would have required airlines to rehire pilots who were terminated for refusing the COVID-19 vaccine was voted down last week by 83 Republicans and 211 Democrats.

The measure, filed by Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA), was introduced on the floor by Rep. Mary Miller (R-IL) as an amendment to a bill reauthorizing the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

“Hundreds of pilots were forced out of their livelihoods over the past several years for their refusal to get COVID vaccine,” Greene said Wednesday. “They were denied medical freedom to decide whether they should take the experimental COVID vaccine or lose their job.” 

The eighty-three Republicans who voted against the measure are: Rick Allen (R-GA), Jodey Arrington (R-TX), Don Bacon (R-NE), James Baird (R-IN), Troy Balderson (R-OH), Andy Barr (R-KY), Jack Bergman (R-MI), Vern Buchanan (R-FL), Ken Buck (R-CO), Larry Bucshon (R-IN), Ken Calvert (R-CA), Mike Carey (R-OH), Buddy Carter (R-GA), John Carter (R-TX), Lori Chavez-DeRemer (R-OR), Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ), Tom Cole (R-OK), Michael Collins, (R-GA), Rick Crawford (R-AK), John Curtis (R-UT), Monica De La Cruz (R-TX), Neal Dunn (R-FL), Jack Ellzey (R-TX), Tom Emmer (R-MN), Ron Estes (R-KS), Mike Ezell (R-MS), Randy Feenstra (R-IA), Drew Ferguson (R-GA), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Andrew Garbarino (R-NY), Tony Gonzales (R-TX), Garrett Graves (R-LA), Sam Graves (R-MO), Mark Green (R-TN), Brett Guthrie (R-KY), French Hill (R-AR), Ashley Hinson (R-IA), Erin Houchin (R-IN), Bill Johnson (OH), Dusty Johnson (R-SD), Dave Joyce (R-OH), Thomas Kean (R-NJ), Mike Kelly (R-PA), Jen Kiggans (R-VA), Young Kim (R-CA), Darin LaHood (R-IL), Doug Lamborn (R-CO), Bob Latta (R-CO), Jake LaTurner (R-KS), Barry Loudermilk (R-GA), Blaine Luetkemeyer (R-MO), Tracey Mann (R-KS), Michael McCaul (R-TX), Tom McClintock (R-CA), Rich McCormick (R-GA), Patrick McHenry (R-NC), Max Miller (R-OH), Carol Miller (West Virginia), Blake Moore (R-UT), James Moylan (R-GU), Greg Murphy (R-NC), Dan Newhouse (R-WA), Jay Obernolte (R-CA), Burgess Owens (R-UT), Amata Coleman Radewagen (R-AS), Mike Rogers (R-AL), Hal Rogers (R-KY), David Schweikert (R-AZ), Austin Scott (R-GA), Mike Simpson (R-ID), Chris Smith (R-NJ), Michelle Steel (R-CA), Chris Stewart (R-UT), Dale Strong (R-AL), Mike Turner (R-OH), Ann Wagner (R-MO), Randy Weber (R-TX), Brad Wenstrup (R-OH), Brandon Williams (R-NY), Joe Wilson (R-SC), Rob Wittman (R-VA), Steve Womack (R-AR), and Rudy Yakym (R-IN).

Rep. Bacon told Frontline News that he voted against the amendment because he believes the government should not force a private corporation to either fire or hire an employee.

“I voted against this amendment because it included employees of private companies, not just federal employees. Mandating a private company to enforce a vaccine mandate or compelling a private company to re-hire an employee are both examples of big government intruding in the actions of private business. Neither are right," said Bacon in a statement. 

"The FAA has zero legal authority to compel an airline to hire or rehire someone, and for this reason House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Graves opposed the amendment.”

As of November last year, some airlines like JetBlue still refused to hire unvaccinated pilots while keeping applications open to violent felons. 

But some unvaccinated pilots would not be available for rehire even if an offer were extended, according to industry insiders. American Airlines First Officer and aviation advocacy group US Freedom Flyers Co-Founder Josh Yoder is reportedly inundated with calls from private flyers requesting unvaccinated pilots to fly their jets.

“[Yoder is] getting calls now from wealthy businessmen and companies to fly their executives around on business jets with unvaccinated crew,” said Captain Alan Dana, who was terminated by JetStar after 14 years of service for refusing to comply with its vaccine mandate. “Now, they get the luxury of being able to choose, because there are still a large amount of crew available in the United States who are not vaccinated because the companies they work for didn’t mandate it.” 

“These wealthy businessmen are requiring unvaccinated crew on their business trips,” Dana added. “Passengers on an airline who bought a ticket don’t have that luxury.” 

The FAA, however, continues to deny there might be any link between medical emergencies among pilots and the COVID-19 vaccines.