Idaho Gov. Brad Little (R) signed an executive order Wednesday to ban the state from mandating or issuing vaccine passports, making Idaho the fourth state to denounce the passes that allow holders to prove they’ve been vaccinated against coronavirus—joining Texas, Florida and Utah—as Republicans continue to ramp up a political culture war issue.
New York’s Excelsior Pass app provides digital proof of COVID-19 vaccination or negative test … [+]
KEY FACTS
The order bars Idaho state government entities from requiring proof of coronavirus vaccination to receive public services, although Little noted in the order that he still encourages all Idohoans eligible for the vaccine to have one.
On Tuesday, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) issued a similar executive order to blockTexas state departments and groups that use public funds from issuing vaccine passports or mandating proof of immunization to receive services.
On Friday, April 2, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed an executive order with an even further reach — under the order, the state government will punish private businesses that opt to require proof of vaccination by barring them from state grants or contracts.
In February, Utah Gov. Spencer Cox signed a bill into law that bans the Utah state government from requiring or issuing vaccine passports, though private businesses remain free to mandate them for patrons if they wish.
Other Republican governors have not issued executive orders regarding vaccine passports, but have indicated they do not support their use, like Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee (R), Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds (R) and Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp (R).
The White House has pledged it will not pursue a vaccine passport sponsored by the federal government. The Biden administration “is not now, nor will we be, supporting a system that requires Americans to carry a credential,” White House press secretary Jen Psaki told reporters Tuesday.
Republicans have spoken out against vaccine passports out of concerns their use will violate users’ privacy rights and that they will be used to discriminate against unvaccinated Americans. The majority of vaccine passports in development are being spearheaded by private companies in hopes it will embolden customers to feel safe traveling and pursuing in-person entertainment again at places like sports arenas, restaurants and live music venues. So far, New York is the only state to launch its own vaccine passport.