The battle rages on for vaccine passports

Republicans oppose the possibility of businesses and local governments requiring vaccine passports for people to have access to certain activities, buildings or events.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantisRon DeSantis The Hill’s Morning Report – Biden officials brace for worst despite vaccine data DeSantis vows to take executive action on ‘vaccine passports’ DeSantis hires veteran GOP agent for 2022 re-election campaign: PLUS report (R) urged his state’s GOP-controlled legislature to pass a law banning passes showing proof of vaccination, while pledging to take executive action. Republicans in Congress have also criticized the passports, calling them invasive.

The Biden administration said it would provide guidance on the matter, but signaled that decisions would largely be left to local governments and business owners.

“We will provide advice, just as we have done through the [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention]», White House press secretary Jen psakiJen PsakiCongress seeks to curb Biden’s war powers Democrats seize voting rights; GOP Cries Money Over: CDC Extends Coronavirus Deportation Ban Until June 30 | Biden to detail his infrastructure proposal on Wednesday | U.S. won’t quickly lift Trump tariffs on China MORE said Monday. “There is currently an interagency process that is looking at many issues related to vaccine verification.”

Supporters of the idea say it will help boost businesses – especially in hard-hit industries like travel and entertainment – as restrictions on COVID-19 are reduced and more Americans are receiving vaccines.

“Cruise lines, for example, want to bring people back on cruises. Airlines want people to travel. And quite frankly, I want to go back to travel too, because I haven’t taken a plane since March and traveled all the time, ”said Tim Paydos, global vice president of government operations at IBM.

“I only want to get on this plane if I feel reasonably sure that everyone is healthy and that the airline is taking care of me. And so that’s what it’s really about, ”he added.

Paydos said IBM was in talks with “just about every state” and federal agencies about these passes.

The requirement for vaccine passports could allow industries that have been closed for much of the past year to reopen while minimizing the risk of the virus spreading. And supporters say virtual passes would speed up the verification process.

In New York City, which last week became the first state to officially launch a virtual pass, the voluntary information is touted as helping the state boost businesses that have faced some of the toughest restrictions during the pandemic.

For example, New York recently increased the number of permitted wedding guests from 50 to 150 – provided all attendees have proof of a negative test result or vaccination. Similar demands have been made as the state allows sports fans to return to stadiums and arenas.

The New York Excelsior Pass, created in partnership with IBM, allows people to show whether they have been vaccinated before attending events where proof is required.

Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont (D) announced Monday that his state could launch a similar pass in the coming months.

“I think it’s a bit premature, only to the extent that not everyone has the vaccine available to them yet. But I like to think that within a month or two, when they’re widely available, I think you’ll see some kind of passport or vaccine validation … probably led by the private sector, ”Lamont said during the interview. ‘a press briefing.

Some Republican governors, however, strongly reject these efforts.

DeSantis on Monday vowed to take executive action this week to ban passes.

“It is totally unacceptable that the government or the private sector impose an obligation on you to present proof of vaccine just to participate in normal society,” he said at a press conference.

South Dakota Gov. Kristi noemKristi Lynn Noem Nike sues maker of Lil Nas X’s “ Satan Shoes. ” Lil Nas X’s “ Satan ” shoes that contain a drop of human blood sell out in less than a minute Art schools Italian women support the rights of transgender students MORE (R) criticized the Biden administration for “one of the most un-American ideas in our nation’s history,” even though the administration has yet to provide advice on the matter.

“The @joebiden #CovidPassport proposal is one of the most un-American ideas in our country’s history. As Americans, we must oppose this oppression, ”Noem tweeted Monday night.

Congressional Republicans have also joined the chorus of critics.

representative Lauren BoebertLauren Boebert, SNL Host on GOP Lawmakers: ‘You Love Guns More Than People You Don’t Know’ Businesses Bypass Self-Imposed GOP Donation Bans Sunny Hostin: ‘I sense like a hostage ” to attack owners of assault rifles PLUS (R-Colo.) Tweeted that “vaccine passports are unconstitutional”, while Rep. Jim jordanJames (Jim) Daniel Jordan Don’t Blame Big Tech For Online Misinformation Webb: #FreeBritney Movement Big Deal for Nichelle Nichols and Many Americans The Hill’s 12:30 Report – Presented by Facebook – Happy Birthday to ObamaCare LEARN MORE (R-Ohio) used it as a chance to intensify criticism of President BidenJoe Biden The Hill’s Morning Report – Biden officials brace for worst despite vaccine data Congress seeks to curb Biden’s war powers Democrats grab the franchise; GOP screams scandal MOREthe immigration policy of.

A New York state official rebuffed criticism from the GOP that such passports are invasive, telling The Hill that the Excelsior Pass provides less information than residents would otherwise need to show.

The pass allows users to verify that they have met the vaccine or test standard, and then flash a QR code to enter, instead of providing specific documents showing a negative test or vaccine card.

Additionally, state guidelines do not require the Excelsior Pass to present proof. Residents instead choose to show printed materials to participate in events where proof is required, the official said.

The requirement to show proof of vaccination is not unprecedented, especially when it comes to international travel. Yellow cards, for example, must show proof of yellow fever vaccination before traveling to certain countries.

The International Air Transport Association is testing a COVID-19 passport, called a Travel Pass, which will allow passengers to provide information about testing and vaccination, in addition to verifying the COVID-19 requirements for their destination.

While the group does not support mandatory vaccine requirements for air travel, products like the Virtual Travel Pass could ease the process to help international travel return if countries decide to put those requirements into effect. up, spokesman Perry Flint said.

Even with international travel at a fraction of pre-pandemic levels, existing requirements to show a negative coronavirus test are already causing hours of wait, and the lack of digital passes to provide tests or proof of vaccination would cause huge traffic jams at airports, said Flint.

“Forget about 6 feet, there are going to be lines at the door,” he added.

Former representative Justin amashJustin Amash Republicans watch primaries in impeachment vote Michigan GOP lawmaker says he is’ strongly considering ‘impeachment Newly sworn House member after the Capitol riot:’ I regret not brought my gun to DC ” MORE, a Michigan libertarian who quit the Republican Party after expressing support for the former President TrumpDonald Trump The Hill’s Morning Report – Biden officials brace for worst despite vaccine data Trump launches ’45th President’s official website’ Judge rules Ohio professor can sue university for not using the student’s preferred pronoun PLUSThe impeachment, rejected arguments that demonstrate proof of COVID-19 vaccination are similar to requirements already in place for some forms of travel.

“Let’s clarify the terms: a ‘vaccination passport’ is not ‘what we already do’. It is not proof of vaccination for international travel or study. It is proof of vaccination for everyday life – grocery stores, restaurants, movies. It is dishonest to confuse the former with the latter, “Amash tweeted on Monday.

“No vaccination passport. It doesn’t get much more dystopian than having to show your ‘health papers’ everywhere you go, ”he said in a separate tweet.

Although the Biden administration did not detail its plans for passport guidelines, Psaki said on Monday that the White House would not create a federal mandate requiring all residents to obtain a single vaccination certificate, nor would it create a base. centralized and universal federal immunization data.

She declined to share a timeline on when the guidelines will be released.

As for the creation of such passports, the Biden administration has said it leaves much of this responsibility to the private sector.

“It’s going to hit everyone – all parts of society. And so, naturally, the government is involved, ”said Andy Slavitt, senior White House adviser on COVID-19. “But unlike other parts of the world, the government here does not see its role as the place where a passport is created, nor as a place where citizens’ data is stored.”

“We see this as something the private sector is doing and will do,” he added.