CONCORD – Senate President Chuck Morse (R-Salem) today issued the following statement regarding the issue of vaccine passports:

“This past week, it was widely reported that the Biden Administration is considering the creation of Covid-19 ‘vaccine passports’. Many Granite Staters have since reached out to me understandably disturbed by these reports. I want to make it clear that I will not support the creation of any ‘vaccine passport’ in New Hampshire that would limit the ability of New Hampshire residents to travel, work or enter businesses based on vaccination status.

“Here in New Hampshire, we believe in common sense and personal freedom. While I would encourage every citizen to get vaccinated, a ‘vaccine passport’ that separates our state into two unequal groups of people is both offensive to our shared values and disruptive to a functioning, unified community.

“Additionally, this type of restriction can only further harm the already ailing small businesses here in New Hampshire. We have worked tirelessly in the New Hampshire legislature this year to remove the onerous regulations and other barriers to full economic recovery and creating new restrictions that would limit the ability of potential customers to enter a business, or tourists to travel to our state, is not the way to rebound.

“I look forward to working with our Federal delegation, the Governor, our health officials and our business and industry leaders to find a better solution that protects the public health while safeguarding our personal liberties.”