STATE ASSEMBLY PASSES FREEDOM & EQUALITY BILLS
Legislators recognize personal medical rights & fairness in athletic competitions
MADISON, WI – Yesterday the Wisconsin Assembly passed three important bills. These bills are now in the state Senate, and if passed there, will make it to the governor’s desk.
AB 299: This bill protects the rights of individuals to choose not to receive a COVID-19 vaccine by banning businesses and government from requiring their customers and employees be vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus or any of its variants. Wisconsin Family Action supports this bill and in the public hearing testified in favor, along with literally dozens of passionate Wisconsinites who are concerned about the erosion of their freedoms. AB 299 passed with 59 Republicans and 1 Democrat voting in favor, while 37 Democrats voted against.
AB 195 and AB 196: These are the Protecting Women’s Sports bills. They are designed to protect women and girls from having to compete against biological males in college and K-12 athletics. AB 195 protects women’s sports in UW System schools and technical training schools. AB 196 protects girls in K-12 public schools, as well as private schools participating in Wisconsin’s Parental Choice programs. Wisconsin Family Action supports these bills and testified in favor of both of them during the public hearing. Both AB 195 and AB 196 passed on strict party-line votes, 59-38, with all Republicans voting in favor and all Democrats voting against.
Wisconsin Family Action president, Julaine Appling, commented, ”We’d like to thank the authors, as well as the Assembly leadership, for moving these essential bills. The bill related to the vaccine issue is fundamentally about recognizing and protecting our right to make our own medical decisions and not being discriminated against because of our choice. The Protect Women’s Sports bills are about fundamental fairness for women athletes who should not be robbed of opportunities because biological males are allowed to compete on or in a girls’ or women’s team or competition. It’s encouraging to see so many legislators understand these ideas and act on them. We urge the Senate to do the same and give Governor Evers an opportunity to also protect our freedom and to ensure fairness for girls and women.”
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Wisconsin Family Action is a statewide organization engaged in strengthening, preserving and promoting marriage, family, life and religious freedom in Wisconsin.
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