“We’re Gonna Kill It” – Del. Scot Heckert Opposes Vaccine Freedom Efforts

For Immediate Release:

Charleston, WV – Delegate Scot Heckert told an activist Tuesday that he intends to vote against a vaccine freedom bill backed by Governor Patrick Morrisey. “We’re gonna kill it,” Heckert declared when asked about his position on Senate Bill 460.

If passed, Senate Bill 460 would exempt children from the state’s compulsory vaccination law if they can demonstrate the requirement conflicts with their religious or philosophical beliefs. The activist, Derin Stidd, works for American Action Fund, an organization fighting to repeal all vaccine mandates in West Virginia.

“The people we’ve spoken to across the state don’t think the governor’s bill does enough to restore healthcare freedom, so Delegate Heckert’s position is far removed from the West Virginian people,” Stidd said of the interaction. “At the end of the day, the state should trust parents to make the best decisions for themselves and their children.”

The “we” Del. Heckert mentions likely refers to other members of the House Health and Human Resources Committee where the bill awaits a hearing. Stidd pointed out that while the three Democrats on the committee are among the most vocal opponents of Governor Morrisey’s efforts to roll back the state’s vaccine mandates, Heckert would need more Republicans to join his efforts to kill the bill.

“American Action Fund is fighting for total vaccine freedom in West Virginia and will hold politicians accountable if they oppose this commonsense policy,” said Stidd. “Let’s get the government out of healthcare and restore the freedom to choose what to put into your body.”

American Action Fund released a video of the interaction. It can be viewed here.