Harshbarger Introduces Bill Requiring Federal Agencies To Acknowledge COVID Natural Immunity

Photo Credit: Diana Harshbarger / YouTube

The Tennessee Conservative Staff –

U.S. Congresswoman Diana Harshbarger (R-TN) recently introduced the Natural Immunity is Real Act in the House of Representatives. If passed, this bill would require Federal agencies to take into account naturally acquired immunity from previous COVID-19 infection when issuing any rules or regulations aimed at protecting from the virus.

Harshbarger said, “I introduced this bill today because the Biden Administration must ‘follow the science’ and be open, honest and transparent about the millions of Americans who have natural immunity against the COVID-19 virus.  There’s ample scientific evidence from numerous peer-reviewed studies that natural immunity from previous COVID-19 infection is effective, durable and long-lasting. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has already acknowledged natural immunity for measles, chickenpox, and many other viruses.”

“I’ve always said we need to use all the clinical tools as protection and treatment options to combat COVID-19. However, my bill is a necessary and timely legislative action resulting from President Biden’s continued politicization of COVID-19 which continues to create deep divisions among Americans, such as when he chillingly said his national vaccine mandate requirements are ‘not about freedom or personal choice,’” Harshbarger said, “Now more than ever, we need to pursue every scientific measure — such as natural immunity — that can help mitigate the pandemic without threatening people’s jobs, our economy, or denying Americans access to everyday life activities based on COVID-19 vaccination status.”

Original co-sponsors include Representatives Daniel Webster (R-FL), Jeff Van Drew (R-NJ), Chris Stewart (R-UT), Bill Posey (R-FL), Mary Miller (R-IL), Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA), Dan Bishop (R-NC), Mo Brooks (R-AL), Madison Cawthorn (R-NC), and Chip Roy (R-TX).

Congressman Daniel Webster said, “Too many medical leaders are refusing to publicly recognize what overwhelming data has already shown – protection afforded to individuals with natural immunity is real, robust and durable.  Denying science only contributes to existing confusion, misinformation, and mistrust among the American people. This bill helps restore trust and faith in the Public Health system, while maintaining our fight against COVID-19.”

“We are over a year and a half into the COVID-19 pandemic and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has failed to recognize the effectiveness of natural immunity,” said Congressman Jeff Van Drew, “We know vaccines work, but natural immunity could be equally or similarly as effective in certain individuals. If the CDC would devote time into its research, we would have robust, evidence-based research that could help America finally move on from this virus.”

“This bill’s very introduction is proof of the Biden Administration’s inconsistency on COVID-19,” said Rep. Chris Stewart. “We’re simply asking that President Biden practice what he preaches and actually ‘follow the science.’ These two statements are not mutually exclusive, and in fact are both true: The vaccine offers effective protection against COVID-19; natural immunity offers effective protection against COVID-19. Today, all we’re doing is asking President Biden to acknowledge that reality and be honest with the American people.”

Representative Bill Posey said, “No American should be forced to choose between getting the COVID vaccine or keeping their job, particularly when the Biden policy fails to recognize that millions of Americans have immunity because they’ve already had and recovered from COVID.” 

The U.S. Senate version of the bill was introduced by Senator Mike Lee of Utah.

The full text of Harshbarger’s bill can be found HERE.