A group of GOP lawmakers who are also physicians released a video on Tuesday urging people to get the COVID-19 vaccine amid concerns about hesitancy from some Republicans.
The video, led by Sen. Roger Marshall
Roger W. MarshallBipartisan group of senators visits Poland, Germany to meet with NATO partners over Ukraine Energy & Environment — Interior to continue oil leasing plans Republican senators introduce bill to ban Russian uranium imports MORE (R-Kan.), a doctor, features some of the lawmakers wearing white coats with stethoscopes around their necks speaking into the camera.
“This vaccine is safe,” says Rep. Larry Bucshon
Larry Dean BucshonThe Hill's Morning Report - Presented by Uber - Senate debt limit drama ends; Trump legal troubles rise Maternal and child health legislation must be prioritized now Peanut Butter and Jelly make debut ahead of White House turkey pardon MORE (R-Ind.), a heart surgeon.
Some of the messages are particularly tailored to try to appeal to Republicans, pointing to the greater freedom that people can have once they are inoculated.
Bucshon says the way “to end the government's restrictions on our freedoms is to take action and get the vaccine.”
“The FDA did not skip any steps,” says Rep. Andy Harris
Andrew (Andy) Peter Harris16 House Republicans vote against bill to promote education on internment camps On The Money — US suspending normal trade with Russia Congress overrides DC voters, keeps sales of marijuana illegal in District MORE (R-Md.), addressing one potential concern about the vaccine.
Rep. John Joyce
John JoyceOvernight Health Care: CDC says it is safe for vaccinated people to unmask outdoors | White House: No decision yet on vaccine patent waiver | GOP doctors in Congress release video urging people to get vaccinated GOP doctors in Congress release video urging people to get vaccinated Biden signs supply chain order after 'positive' meeting with lawmakers MORE (R-Pa.) pointed to the Trump administration’s Operation Warp Speed, which developed the vaccines but has become a phrase the Biden administration has stopped using.
“Operation Warp Speed brought us safe and effective vaccines, and all in record time,” Joyce said.
Boosting vaccine uptake among Republicans is a key focus going forward, given that polls show they have higher resistance to the idea. In a CBS-YouGov poll released Monday, 30 percent of Republicans said they would not get the vaccine and another 19 percent said they only "maybe" would do so.
Former President Trump
Donald TrumpNow is the time to rebuild America's refugee resettlement program Is a post-Trump media world beginning to take shape? Major government surveillance revelations fail to make a big splash MORE has said people should get the vaccine, though CNN reported Tuesday that some of his advisers have been urging him to make a public service announcement to make the case more prominently. Trump was the only former president not to appear in a previous PSAs encouraging vaccine use.
