Senators Braun, Scott, Johnson and Paul Refuse Get The Vaccine, Citing Dangerous Conspiracy Theories Debunked By Public Health Experts And Threaten Biden’s Progress To Defeat Virus
In response to Senators Mike Braun (R-IN), Ron Johnson (R-WI), Rand Paul (R-KY) and Rick Scott (R-FL) refusing to get the coronavirus vaccine and spreading conspiracy theories about its effectiveness, Protect Our Care’s Coronavirus War Room Spokesperson Michael Feldman issued the following statement:
“Republican Senators are playing a reckless game with their constituents’ lives by spreading dangerous misinformation about the vaccine and outright refusing to take it. Despite most of their own party’s leadership taking the vaccine, Senators Braun, Johnson, Paul and Scott decided to play politics by fanning the flames of conspiracy theories rather than telling voters the truth: that the vaccine is safe, effective, and getting us closer to defeating the pandemic.
“These Republicans know it is their own voters, particularly Republican men who are hesitant about the vaccine, who stand to lose the most because of their irresponsible rhetoric. These Senators’ actions fly in the face of public opinion, as poll after poll shows the overwhelming majority of Americans support President Biden’s American Rescue Plan including key provisions like drastically increasing funding for vaccines which is already having an impact at record pace.
“Between voting against the American Rescue Plan and spreading dangerous conspiracies about the vaccine, Republicans are doing everything they can to prolong this pandemic and stop America from getting out of this crisis.”
BACKGROUND:
Washington Post: Senators Ron Johnson (R-WI), Mike Braun (R-IN), Rand Paul (R-KY) And Rick Scott (R-FL) Say They Haven’t Been Vaccinated. “At least four GOP senators have not been vaccinated, nor are they sharing any plans to do so in the near future. An ophthalmologist, a businessman, the chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee and one of the GOP’s most frequent spreaders of conspiracy theories are among the lawmakers who have previously provided reporters with varying reasons for why they haven’t been jabbed yet.” [Washington Post, 4/7/21]
- Republican Men Are Among Most Hesitant Demographics To Get The Vaccine. “GOP Sens. Rick Scott (Fla.) and Ron Johnson (Wis.) did not respond to Power Up’s request for comment on if and when they plan to receive the coronavirus vaccine as Republican voters — and GOP men in particular — has emerged as one of the most vaccine hesitant demographics.” [Washington Post, 4/7/21]
- Senator Mike Braun Has Cited Baseless Conspiracy Theories As A Reason Why He Has Refused The Vaccine. “Sen. Mike Braun (R-Ind.) has cited concerns about the vaccine’s ties to abortion as a reason he had not yet been vaccinated. In a statement provided to Power Up, Braun declined to disclose his vaccination status and scolded those ‘keeping tabs on who has or has not received a vaccine through ‘passports’ or lists.’” [Washington Post, 4/7/21]
- Senator Rand Paul Cited Developing An Immune Defense To The Virus As A Reason For Not Getting The Vaccine Despite No Evidence To Support Claim That People Who Contract COVID Are Now Immune. “A spokesperson for Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) reiterated the Kentucky lawmaker’s claims he’s ‘developed an immune defense to the virus’ after testing positive for coronavirus last March, and is ‘following the science on the vaccines and masks for those who have developed immunity.’ There’s no such evidence, however, that people who have already contracted the virus are now immune to it, according to widespread public health guidance.” [Washington Post, 4/7/21]
Ron Johnson Also Cited False Claim Of Immunity From Reinfection Despite Public Health Officials Rejecting His Theory By Making Clear Reinfection Is Possible. “Johnson has offered a series of reasons why he has yet to receive the vaccine, claiming immunity from getting re-infected since he’s already had the virus, even as public health experts and doctors provide clear instructions whether or not you’ve come down with the disease.” [Washington Post, 4/7/21]