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H.R. 5978 117th Congress House

Exemptions for Critical Workers Act

Official title: To exempt Federal employees and contractors that are critical infrastructure workers from Federal COVID-19 vaccination mandates, and for other purposes.

Introduced: November 15, 2021 Introduced by: Dan Newhouse Republican · Washington See on congress.gov
Government Operations and Politics Administrative law and regulatory proceduresAdministrative remediesCardiovascular and respiratory healthEmergency medical services and trauma care
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Employment discrimination and employee rightsGovernment employee pay, benefits, personnel managementImmunology and vaccinationInfectious and parasitic diseasesPostal servicePresidents and presidential powers, Vice PresidentsPublic contracts and procurementWorker safety and health
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This bill died when the 117th Congress ended
It never became law before the 117th Congress (2021–2022) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 3 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Dec 2, 2021
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H6864)
Nov 15, 2021
Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Reform.
Nov 15, 2021
Introduced in House
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 Latest action December 2, 2021

Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H6864)

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Exemptions for Critical Workers Act

This bill exempts critical infrastructure workers from any federal mandate requiring federal employees or contractors to receive a COVID-19 vaccination. Critical infrastructure workers are identified in guidance from the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Agency.

 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 1
 Cosponsors 7
All 7 Republican 5
Palazzo, Steven
· Nov 17, 2021
 R
Crawford, Eric A. "Rick"
Arkansas · Nov 16, 2021
 R
Mann, Tracey
Kansas · Nov 15, 2021
McKinley, David
· Nov 15, 2021
 R
Miller-Meeks, Mariannette
Iowa · Nov 15, 2021
 R
Rouzer, David
North Carolina · Nov 15, 2021
 R
Weber, Randy K. Sr.
Texas · Nov 15, 2021
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 5978: Exemptions for Critical Workers Act. 117th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/117-HR-5978/
MLA
"H.R. 5978: Exemptions for Critical Workers Act." 117th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/117-HR-5978/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 5978, 117th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/117-HR-5978/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 5978: Exemptions for Critical Workers Act](https://openamerica.io/bill/117-HR-5978/)
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