State Rep. Lee: In most cases, those opposing vaccine passport ban don’t agree with the Republican agenda or they get paid to say those things

Earlier this week, Gov. Kay Ivey signed a bill that would ban so-called vaccine passports, defined as requirements to show proof of a COVID-19 vaccination to do business with private and governmental entities within the state.

According to its chief sponsor State Sen. Arthur Orr (R-Decatur), the legislation is intended to prevent the creation of a “two-tier society” that allows for discrimination aimed at the unvaccinated.

State Rep. Paul Lee (R-Dothan), who chairs the House Health Committee, was also a champion of the legislation and suggested that much of the pushback is either a product of political bias or some financial incentive during an appearance on FM Talk 106.5’s “The Jeff Poor Show” on Thursday.

“In most cases, people that are saying that don’t agree with the Republican agenda, for one, and/or they get paid to say those things,” he said. “So, we have to keep that in perspective. I kind of felt it a little odd that many of those who choose not to get the vaccine are the ones that have been a little more vocal, and it hasn’t been that extreme, to be honest with you. Especially in our area — they’re very supportive. Those that have been against it are the ones that, in most cases, have chosen not to get the vaccine. I felt that was a little on the odd and strange side.”

Lee indicated it was his goal to protect those who exercised their right not to be vaccinated.

“We’re not seeing it,” Lee said of a presence of anti-vaxxers around his southeastern Alabama district. “Here in our area in the southeast corner, there are very few people that have just chosen not to get it for one reason or another. But for the most part, in our area, people have been willing and want it. We have tens of thousands of vaccines in the Houston, Geneva, Dale County area. And the organizations that have been giving it have been wonderful. Made it successful, very easy to get. I think it is just a wise move but a personal choice. I have no remorse for those who chose not to get it. But also, I want to make sure that those who have chosen to do it are not dinged in any way — they can’t do business with the local governmental entities, state entity, or any other business.”

@Jeff_Poor is a graduate of Auburn University and the University of South Alabama, the editor of Breitbart TV, a columnist for Mobile’s Lagniappe Weekly, and host of Mobile’s “The Jeff Poor Show” from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. on FM Talk 106.5.