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Commission approves resolution backing governor on military 'medical freedom' despite objections
Summary
Knox County Commission approved Resolution 904 supporting the governor's position urging Congress to remove a federal COVID-19 vaccine mandate for service members; testimony from a National Guard captain and split views among commissioners produced a spirited debate before the resolution passed.
The Knox County Commission voted Dec. 12 to approve a resolution (904) supporting the governor's position to protect medical choice for members of the Tennessee National Guard and to urge the U.S. Congress to act to remove the federal COVID-19 vaccine mandate for members of the armed forces.
Captain Mickey Shelton of the Tennessee Army National Guard addressed the commission during the public-comment portion of the item, describing his view that many service members remain "in limbo" after the mandate and recounting reported medical events and cases affecting soldiers. He asked the county to support actions, including encouraging state attorneys general to pursue litigation, to examine the data and adjudicate claims.
Some commissioners, including Commissioner Jay, questioned whether county government should pass resolutions on matters that are federal in scope and raised the point that the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) in Congress was expected to lift the mandate imminently. Other commissioners expressed support for the resolution on grounds of supporting local service members and defending choice.
The motion to approve (made by Commissioner Oster and seconded by Commissioner Lee) passed on voice vote after several commissioners asked to sign onto the resolution.
Representative quotes: Captain Shelton said he hoped the commission would "stand together" in support of service members; Commissioner Jay said the issue may be outside the commission's purview and noted federal action was imminent.
Ending: The commission approved the resolution and recorded multiple commissioners signing on; the item was advanced by voice vote with no roll-call tally in the transcript.
