Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds. | Photo Courtesy of Governor's Office
Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds. | Photo Courtesy of Governor's Office
Gov. Kim Reynolds late last month signed legislation that protects workers who decline to get the COVID-19 vaccine on medical and religious grounds, as well as employees who were terminated for their refusal.
Iowa lawmakers approved the measure Oct. 28 just before they convened for a special session on redistricting, according to the Associated Press.
Twitter user Ken Hunt balked at the newly signed law.
“Republicans seem to be playing a bazaar game of 'Owning the Libs' by betting with their own lives,” he tweeted.
The law, which is now in effect, also grants workers fired for willingly eschewing the vaccine access to unemployment benefits, KEYC reported.
Iowa is among the cadre of GOP-led states that have acted against COVID-19 mandates and restrictions.
Reynolds, a Republican, touts vaccines as the best defense against COVID-19, but her belief stops at mandates, which she opposes though the illness has claimed nearly 7,000 lives since the pandemic first took root last year, according to KEYC.
“No Iowan should be forced to lose their job or livelihood over the COVID-19 vaccine,” the governor said in a statement obtained by the dual CBS/Fox-affiliate.
Iowa is planning to pursue action against the federal government over its proposed vaccine mandates.
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