A Florida congressman is one of the leading champions on Capitol Hill of a bill to ensure the U.S. Defense Department does not offer COVID-19 vaccines before all Americans have the opportunity to be vaccinated.

Last week, U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson, R-Iowa, offered a bill to ensure “that no terrorist should receive a COVID-19 vaccination before any American citizen” with Bilirakis and U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-NY, as the main cosponsors.

“It is appalling that under the Biden administration, terrorists held in GITMO were going to cut the line to receive the COVID-19 vaccine ahead of American citizens. Meanwhile, thousands of Iowans, including frontline workers, first responders, teachers, and seniors are still waiting to receive the vaccine. It is infuriating that terrorists, including those responsible for the 9/11 attack, were put ahead of Iowans. This legislation calls on the administration to ensure American citizens have access to the vaccine before terrorists,” said Hinson.

“Over the last month, I’ve seen how difficult it has been for seniors in my community to obtain a COVID-19 vaccine. These are grandparents who haven’t been able to leave their house or see their families for almost a year. They are moms and dads with serious health conditions who haven’t been able to work out of fear that if they contract the virus, they’ll die. In light of their suffering, we have been doing everything humanly possible to get them a safe and effective vaccine as quickly as we can- after all, it is their tax dollars who helped make the creation of this vaccine possible,” said Bilirakis. “The notion that this administration would even consider prioritizing the vaccination of known terrorists before Americans who have already endured such hardship is frankly inconceivable to me, which is why I was eager to co-author this important legislation.”

More than 20 other members of the House, all Republicans, have also lined up behind the bill including U.S. Rep. Bill Posey, R-Fla.

The bill was sent to the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee last week. So far, there is no companion measure over in the U.S. Senate.

Reach Kevin Derby at kevin.derby@floridadaily.com.