State Sen. Eric Berthel opposed legislation on Apr. 23 that would establish a state-controlled vaccine standard of care for adults under the Department of Public Health and prevent the use of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act in school vaccine mandates.
The bill, which passed the Senate along mostly party lines, is seen by supporters as a measure to strengthen public health standards but has drawn criticism from some lawmakers and members of the public who believe it restricts personal freedoms.
Berthel said, “On a daily basis, we continue to see Connecticut Democrats deliberately passing legislation that diminishes your freedom. Whether it is the right to decide what you inject into your body via vaccine, your constitutional right to carry a gun, or your constitutional right to homeschool your children, majority Democrats believe themselves to be smarter than you and must make these personal decisions for you in all these areas.”
He further said, “This legislative session has shown the most egregious abuse of Connecticut Democrat majority power ever. I hope that the people will remember these decisions in November.”
The legislation now moves to Gov. Ned Lamont’s desk for consideration. During a March public hearing on this measure, Berthel stood with families and residents as hundreds voiced opposition to what they described as dangerous rollbacks to religious and medical freedoms. The hearing was limited by legislative Democrats to 14 hours instead of allowing each member of the public an opportunity to speak.
The debate over this bill highlights ongoing divisions regarding individual rights versus public health measures within Connecticut’s legislature.
