Rep. Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.) introduced a bill on Monday to ban the federal government from funding efforts to collect information on those who are receiving the COVID-19 vaccine. 

The Arizona Republican’s bill would prevent the government from using federal funding “to maintain or collect information that can be used to identify any individual” who has received a coronavirus vaccine. 

Biggs’s bill was introduced along with a second piece of legislation that would ban federal funding from being used to develop or enforce any mandates for people to wear masks or be vaccinated. 

The representative said he is concerned that the government would use such data collection or mandates to overstep its authority over citizens and disrespect their privacy.  

“COVID-19 is real and serious, and many Americans have realized the need to take precautions for themselves or their loved ones,” he said in a statement. “Unfortunately, state and local officials have used this public health emergency to issue draconian mandates, destroy the right to privacy, and leverage fear for increased dependence on government.”

“I unequivocally oppose any government official who seeks to mandate this vaccine on any American, or who keeps a database of Americans who may have chosen not to receive the vaccine,” he added. “All Americans should value and protect our freedoms and personal responsibility – no matter the emergency we face as a community, state, or nation.”