Can’t be said these days that Congress – or politics – is dull or irrelevant to daily life. Maybe like never before Americans are holding elected officials accountable, on the national, state, and city and town level. In Rhode Island, mom Nicole Solas and teacher Ramona Bessinger have made news for their perspectives on education and have support across America. Likewise, support grows for parents who went to court to unmask their children in a local case. Here’s a glimpse nationwide into what some elected officials, some celebrities, and others are saying regarding issues of freedom.

U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (Missouri) stated: “America has long recognized the right of parents to direct their children’s education…. .” Sen. Hawley introduced the Parents’ Bill of Rights Act “to defend parents’ fundamental rights against efforts to shut them out of their children’s education…and would empower parents to sue federally-funded schools that do not protect certain basic rights…”

Congressional Rep. Bob Good (VA) introduced the Championing Our Parents Act: “Instead of listening to these concerned parents, most of whom are frustrated by the ongoing indoctrination and heavy hand of government coming down on their children, the National School Board Association instead called on the Department of Justice to treat these outraged parents as domestic terrorists…My bill will prohibit the Garland Memorandum from receiving any funding to carry out this horrible war on parents. This administration’s continued weaponization of the federal government against Americans – particularly conservatives and constitutional patriots with whom they disagree – must stop!”

Craig Caplan, CSPAN Capitol Hill producer, tweeted: “House Judiciary Cmte Top Republican Jim Jordan wrote to Nat’l School Boards Association leaders Chip Slaven & Viola Garcia to sit for transcribed interviews as part of Cmte GOP probe: Parents cannot tolerate this collusion between the NSBA & Biden Admin.”

Some Georgia members of the U.S. House of Representatives in a letter to the U.S. Education Secretary opposed any federal vaccine mandate for colleges and schools, and said mask wearing and vaccines should be the decisions of patients, families, and their doctors. “The pandemic has upended students’ lives and the federal government meddling in these decisions will only bring more strife and division,” said U.S. Representative Earl L. “Buddy” Carter.” “Georgia’s approach has worked for us. We don’t need Washington inserting itself in how we administer education in our state.”

Congressman Doug LaMalfa (CA) stated about Governor Newsom’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate for public and private school students: “Yet again Governor Newsom is overstepping his authority and trying to dictate the health decisions of Californians—this time of children…The state does not own our children. LaMalfa has introduced two bills – Keep Vaccines Voluntary Act and the No Vaccine Passports Act.

North Carolina Congressman Madison Cawthorn stated about his “Justice for All Businesses Act” (JAB Act): “I’m proud to introduce this bill denying the federal government and Joe Biden the chance to trample on Americans any further. This is not a matter of health, it’s a matter of liberty. There are patriots across the nation who would rather see their jobs ripped away from them then lose their right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. I stand with them to defend freedom at all costs.”

Cawthorn also stated: “Forced injections mandated by the federal government are nothing short of subsidized medical apartheid. ” Cawthorn and Senator Mike Lee (Utah) introduced the “Let Me Travel America Act”. “An interstate travel vaccine mandate would leave individuals marooned in states where they cannot work, cannot go to restaurants, and cannot leave. Businesses already hard-hit by the pandemic in the travel and hospitality sectors would be further strained,” said Senator Lee.

Another topic is Big Tech. Congresswoman Mary Miller (Illinois) said, “My bill [Safeguarding Children’s Privacy in Schools Act of 2021] reinstates direct parental consent for the collection of data on educational technology devices and platforms. This is a much-needed reform since school boards are actively blocking parental involvement in our schools and the federal government is accusing them of being domestic terrorists.”

Also, Representatives Ralph Norman (SC), Tom Rice (SC), and David Joyce (OH) introduced The Promoting Responsibility Over Moderation In the Social Media Environment (PROMISE) Act to “hold Big Tech companies accountable for their promises to operate without political bias.” A companion bill was introduced by Senator Mike Lee (Utah).

Entertainers are also speaking out on issues. Country star Travis Tritt retweeted Nicole Saphier, MD @NBSaphierMD: “People can be pro-vaccine and still choose not to be vaccinated. It is not as black-and-white as mainstream media would make you believe.”

Tritt announced: “I’m putting my money where my mouth is and announcing that any venue or promoter mandating masks, requiring vaccinations, or pushing COVID testing protocols on my fans will not be tolerated. Any show I have booked that discriminates against concert-goers …is being canceled immediately. Many people are taking a firm stand against these mandates around the country, and I wholeheartedly support that cause… This is a sacrifice that I’m willing to make to stand up for the freedoms that generations of Americans have enjoyed for their entire lifetimes…” In fact, @LWCnewswire tweeted: “Wow! @Travistritt Stood His Ground on Mandates, Now a Concert Venue is Changing THEIR Requirements to Support Him louderwithcrowder.com/travis-tritt-virginia .”

Movie star Ice Cube is declining to get vaccinated, turning down an opportunity in the Sony film Oh Hell No, according to The Hollywood Reporter. In a skit, the TV show Saturday Night Live mocked Ice Cube’s stance. Meanwhile, “Vaccination among cast and crew in Hollywood has become an issue on multiple projects,” reported Billboard. Emilio Estevez, star of the Mighty Ducks said he wasn’t taking the shot. Basketball star Kyrie Irving declined the shot losing an estimated $34.9 million in salary plus $15 million other income, reported Forbes. For Irving, “this is about a grander fight than the one on the court and Irving is challenging a perceived control of society and people’s livelihood, according to sources with knowledge of Irving’s mindset,” reported Sports Illustrated (from theathletic.com).

Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers quarterback, said “no” to the shot. His statement in part: “I realize I’m in the crosshairs of the woke mob right now, so before my final nail gets put in my cancel culture casket… Look, I’m not some sort of anti-vax, flat earther. I am somebody who’s a critical thinker… I believe strongly in bodily autonomy and the ability to make choices for your body, not to have to acquiesce to some woke culture or crazed group of individuals who say you have to do something. Health is not a one-size-fits-all for everybody. And for me, it involved a lot of study in the offseason, much like the study I put into hosting Jeopardy! Or the weekly study I put into playing the game.”

Sen. Johnson (Wis) held a panel discussion with COVID-19 medical experts and with patients who are suffering “adverse events” (euphemism for injuries from the vaccine). See the video: Vaccine Mandates Expert Panel Highlights https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lkVN3KwDfvI

Johnson commented: “…our government officials, talk about them not being particularly honest, not being particularly transparent. We even invited them all here… None of them showed up.” The senator also stated: “…it’s actually outrageous that our healthcare agencies, the President of the United States, members of his administration are completely ignoring these people and their plight. The courage it takes to come forward, you know I can testify too. The repercussions are quite grave. The vilification, the suppression of what you’re trying to say, the censorship. People who have been on this journey with me have been fired from their institutions. They’ve been sued. Their careers and their lives as they’ve known it have been ended. That’s why you have so very few people that are willing to come forward. Their medical licenses are threatened. The profession that they trained for decades to get good at could be taken away from them. So you understand why they are remaining silent.”

Senator Marsha Blackburn (TN) said support is up for protecting workers from being fired due to vaccine mandates. The Fraternal Order of Police, National Police Association, National Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Council and Anderson County Tennessee Sheriff Russell Barker added their names to almost two dozen elected officials, organizations and unions supporting Blackburn’s legislation Keep Our COVID-19 Heroes Employed.

Similarly, Rep. Barry Moore (AL) with some colleagues, in a letter to the federal government, opposes vaccine mandates for Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents.

“It is unthinkable that the Biden administration would push out hundreds of Border Patrol agents during the middle of the border crisis it created,” said Moore. “These agents are at the frontline of keeping our borders secure and communities safe, and to punish them with unconstitutional vaccine mandates a year after hailing them as heroes during the early days of the pandemic would be criminal.

“Americans should never be forced to choose between taking the shot or losing their livelihood to provide for their families…,” said Congressman Jeff Duncan (SC) in a letter supporting attorney generals and signed by some colleagues. “This is about liberty, and the government has no authority to force the COVID-19 vaccine on Americans… mandates… have no place in the United States…In a free country, medical tyranny cannot stand.”

According to Congressman Gohmert (TX): “President Biden is not an emperor or king. He cannot continue to limit the rights and freedoms of Americans in violation of the Constitution using executive orders or unclear OSHA rules that are not based upon a legislative directive.” Gohmert also stated the administration “is denying the rights of the American people to free exercise of religion, due process of law, and protection from religious discrimination. The NICE Act (National Informed Consent Exemption Act) will address and correct these inequitable and devastating abuses. One size does not fit all.”

Congressman Mo Brooks (AL) introduced the Defund Federal Vaccine Mandates Act, a one sentence bill that will “forbid the government from using federal funding to establish, implement, or enforce COVID-19 vaccine mandates on American citizens.”

Congressman Clay Higgins (LA) introduced the Employee Rights and Freedoms Act: “the decision to get vaccinated or not is a personal and private medical decision. ..We’re drawing the line here. We, the People, will not be herded like sheep into medical procedures against our will.” The bill makes it illegal for any employer to mandate an employee undertake any medical procedure.

Rep. Higgins at a press conference in November, now a viral video, addressed military men and women suffering penalties for not complying with mandates, encouraging them to stay in shape, assuring the 2023 elections will bring them back to service. He also tweeted: “Fauci, the socialist Democrats, the CCP, Biden, Pelosi and the CDC are not interested in your health. They’re interested in your obedience. Stand up America. Do not comply.”

Kentucky Congressman Thomas Massie tweeted: “Here’s the thread from December of 2020 when I discovered the @CDCgov was lying about vaccine efficacy for prior infected. I called the DC CDC Director who brought in one of their top scientists. They said I was right and they would fix it. They have never corrected the lie.” And he’s posted:
“Anyone who believes a U.S. President can unilaterally impose a medical treatment on all Americans as a condition of employment is constitutionally illiterate and morally bankrupt.”

Senator Rand Paul (KY) and Senator Marsha Blackburn (TN) introduced the National Patient ID Repeal Act. “As a physician, I know firsthand how much the doctor-patient relationship relies on trust and privacy, which would be undermined by a National Patient ID. Now, more than ever, it is crucial to protect Americans’ genetic information from theft by foreign actors like China, and prevent the government from centralizing patients’ personal health records or interfering with their medical decisions,” said Dr. Paul.

Rand Paul (KY) also has words for Fauci: “You appear to have learned nothing from this pandemic…What you’re doing is defining away gain-of function…and what you’ve done is change the definition on your website to try to cover your ass, basically…Until you accept responsibility, we’re not going to get anywhere close to trying to prevent another lab leak of this dangerous sort of experiment. You won’t admit that it’s dangerous, and for that lack of judgment, I think it’s time that you resign.”

Senator Paul calls for noncompliance with unlawful mandates. He tweeted questioning submitting to any vaccine mandate for children. Another tweeter, DrGinaLoudon.com (Dr Gina – RAV Real America Voice) wrote: “If a 5 year old develops ‘mild myicarditis’ there is a 50/50 chance they won’t live to see their 15th birthday. This is what they are doing to our CHILDREN, for political statement! (Source: NIH)”

She included a screen shot from NIH highlighting: “non-fulfillment active myocardiotis has a mortality rate of 25% to 56% within 3 to 10 years, owing to progressive heart failure and sudden cardiac death.” She’s quoting from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3370379 Myocarditis – Early Biopsy Allows for Tailored Regenerative Treatment, Uwe Kühl et al., Dtsch Arztebl Int. 2012 May; 109(20): 361–368.

In Congress, Sen. Cruz introduced a bill to prohibit the federal government and any federal, state, and local entity that receives federal funding, including school districts, from requiring COVID-19 vaccines for minors. Cruz said: “President Biden and his administration have repeatedly ignored medical privacy rights and personal liberty by pushing unlawful and burdensome vaccine mandates on American businesses, and now they are preparing to push a mandate on kids by pressuring parents—all without taking into account relative risk or the benefits of natural immunity.”

The Fire Fauci Act, promoted as “Fauci Lied, People Died. It’s time to fire Fauci.” is sponsored by Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene (Georgia) and thirteen colleagues. The act: “Reduces Dr. Fauci’s salary to $0 until a new NIAID Administrator is confirmed by the Senate. Reminds the American public that Dr. Fauci is the highest paid ($434,312) of all 4 million federal employees, including the President. Cites numerous findings about Dr. Fauci’s evolving and contradictory advice on COVID-19. Directs GAO to conduct a study about the correspondence, financials, and policy memos inside the NIAID before the outbreak of COVID through the end of this year. Investigates what Fauci and the NIAID knew, when they knew it, what they spent money on, and how the agency responded to the virus.”

Since the legislation was introduced, Congresswoman Greene has tweeted: “1. I am not vaccinated. I choose to trust my own body’s immune system against #COVID19 and do not fall into any risk groups. I solidly stand against the unconstitutional vaccine mandates, and I will be fighting alongside those persecuted for choosing not to take the jab. 2. The only time I wear a mask is when I have to fly. I have $60,500 in mask fines from Nancy Pelosi, who is a hypocrite because she does not wear a mask at times. Here she is during the vote on Infrastructure bill, with her mask down. I’m also suing her.”