Republican lawmaker introduces bill to block federal vaccine mandate

“Forced injections mandated by the federal government are nothing short of subsidized medical apartheid. Something must be done,” Cawthorn said during a House Education and Labor Committee hearing on vaccine mandates. 

The Justice for All Business Act proposes to strip the secretary of labor from using funds to draft, publish, or enforce a rule mandating that employers require employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19. Cawthorn added that the bill also prohibits the federal government from “raining down fines” on businesses for “upholding the Constitution and defying tyrannical edicts.”

Tuesday’s legislation specifically targets the upcoming Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s emergency temporary standard. Requested by President Joe Biden last month, the rule would require private businesses with at least 100 employees to institute vaccine mandates. Biden’s directive stipulated that unlike federal employees and contractors, private businesses could also provide an option for weekly COVID-19 testing. 

OSHA submitted the rule to the Office of Management and Budget earlier this month. Since then, administration officials have spent weeks meeting with employers, business groups, unions, and experts to hear input before putting the new rule in place. Officials currently have meetings scheduled through Wednesday, though experts are anticipating the rule will soon be public. 

Some companies, however, are embracing the rule. A Columbia Sportswear executive said Tuesday that a federal mandate would level the playing field for businesses trying to vaccinate their employees and provide clear, uniform standards.

“A federal mandate is needed. We do not believe it is a question of more regulation for business, but rather less,” said Richelle Luther, senior vice president, corporate affairs, and chief human resources officer at Columbia Sportswear.

Fearful that a federal vaccine and testing mandate could disrupt operations and add to supply chain challenges, retail and business groups have asked the Biden administration to delay the requirements until after the holidays.

A delay, however, isn’t enough, according to Cawthorn. He added that his bill “will not be the end of the matter,” saying he continues to work to stop vaccine mandates. Cawthorn did not disclose whether he had any other cosponsors of the legislation yet, but given that Democrats have control over both the House and the Senate, it’s unlikely the bill will be implemented.

“I believe that this mandate literally forces Americans to choose between their livelihoods and a deeply intrusive medical ultimatum,” Cawthorn said. “In the coming months, Americans will be plunged into financial turmoil because of President Biden’s failed economic policies, which has led us to our supply chain shortages and our shortage of having a workforce.”

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