House Freedom Caucus chairman calls for military to ease coronavirus enlistment restrictions

Rep. Andy Biggs is calling on the Pentagon to stop its prohibition of enlistments for people who have been previously hospitalized with COVID-19.

The Arizona Republican leads the House Freedom Caucus and said in a Monday letter to Defense Secretary Mark Esper that he disagrees with the military's current policy of barring those who have been hospitalized with the coronavirus from enlisting.

"As the various states begin to free their economies from draconian coronavirus restrictions, it is critical for the Department of Defense to immediately halt implementation of any related bureaucratic actions that threaten the honor to serve in the U.S. military," Biggs said, according to the Hill.

The Pentagon's previous policy barred anyone who had the coronavirus from joining the military but was later revised to include just those who have been hospitalized for the illness.

"I am extremely concerned with recent Military Entrance Processing Command (MEPCOM) interim guidance for the purpose of 'rendering a medical qualification determination for an applicant with a history of confirmed COVID-19,'" Biggs wrote. "The guidance stated that an individual's history with coronavirus would be ‘considered disqualifying' from joining the service. This new standard was quickly updated to apply to only those who had been hospitalized for coronavirus. Despite this update, my serious concern remains."

"For many across our country, the American-led coronavirus response has instilled a sense of patriotism and devotion to duty. We must honor that unique commitment," he added.

Earlier this month, reports broke that the U.S. Military Entrance Processing Command issued a memorandum to recruit processing stations that mandated prior diagnoses of COVID-19 would be disqualifying for those looking to join the military, although recruits could apply for a waiver.