Republican Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds signed a bill Friday that will provide unemployment benefits to anyone fired for refusing to get the COVID-19 vaccine.
Reynolds, who has long opposed vaccine and mask mandates, said that “no Iowan should be forced to lose their job or livelihood over the COVID-19 vaccine,” per BizPacReview.
The Republican-led Iowa legislature passed the legislation Thursday on a 68 to 27 vote during a special session.
While she is against mandating the vaccination, Reynolds said she believes it is the best way to protect against the virus.
The governor also said she will direct her attorney general to file a lawsuit against the federal government over the vaccine mandate for private employers.