Senator Dr. Gordon Cites Serious Constitutional Concerns about the ‘Vaccine Bill’ While Continuing to Support Public Health

HARTFORD, CT – State Senator Doctor Jeff Gordon voted in opposition to H.B. 5044, An Act Establishing Vaccine Standards, emphasizing the need to carefully balance public health priorities and constitutionally protected rights, individual freedoms, and religious beliefs. The decision follows extensive public input and consideration of both medical and legal concerns surrounding the legislation.

As a physician, Sen. Gordon highlighted his long medical track record of supporting public health. As a Senator, he continues to defend longstanding constitutional protections afforded to individuals.

“I understand the importance of public health, and I advise recommending vaccines when medically appropriate,” Sen. Gordon said. “But this bill was not about public health, it was about government telling people what to do instead of respecting people’s individual decisions regarding vaccines. The Constitution and the rights it protects do not go away, even in times of public health concern.”

The vote also reflects significant engagement from constituents and members of the public, many of whom expressed concerns during the legislative process. Sen. Gordon emphasized that public testimony plays a critical role in shaping responsible policymaking and should be given full consideration.

“During the legislative process, thousands of people spoke out with concerns about their freedoms,” Sen. Gordon said. “When so many voices are raised, we have a responsibility to listen, and that is exactly what my Republican colleagues and I did when majority Democrats voted to end a public hearing early, knowing many people who had followed the rules by registering to testify were denied their right to speak. We stayed and held our own ‘public hearing’ to keep listening.”

Drawing on his medical experience, Sen. Gordon highlighted the importance of informed decision-making between patients and their doctors and healthcare professionals. He explained that, while he personally chooses to be vaccinated and recommends it to others, he knows that those decisions should ultimately remain with individuals and families.

“As a practicing physician, I provide patients with information, give them opportunities to ask questions, and respect those decisions,” Sen. Gordon said. “I made my own choice to be vaccinated, but I do not believe the government should make those decisions for others.”

Connecticut is one of only a small number of states that do not allow religious or personal exemptions to vaccinations. Connecticut was the first state in 1993 to overwhelmingly pass, in a bipartisan manner, the Religious Freedom and Protection Act, yet in 2021, by majority vote, the religious exemption was removed, yet it still allowed people to sue the government to seek redress.

H.B. 5044 would remove that right to sue while an active court case on this matter is ongoing. “This is a terrible way to cut the legs out from people who are following the law that was created in 2021 just because the state government and the Attorney General do not like the possibility of losing on this issue,” Sen. Gordon said.

Sen. Gordon believes that H.B. 5044 does not achieve the appropriate balance between government authority and individual rights. He expressed concern that the bill will unnecessarily infringe on personal liberties, medical freedoms, and religious freedoms, and will not actually achieve its stated public health goals. He sought a non-political way to better achieve the public health goals, but that was rejected.