Earlier today, Biden announced his plan to direct the Department of Labor to force companies with over 100 employees to institute a vaccine mandate or require weekly testing.
President Joe Biden will direct the Department of Labor to develop a rule that companies with more than 100 employees will require vaccinations or once-per-week testing for their workers, potentially affecting tens of millions of U.S. private-sector employees, according to the White House.
The administration’s rule will require that “all employers with 100 or more employees to ensure their workforce is fully vaccinated or require any workers who remain unvaccinated to produce a negative test result on at least a weekly basis before coming to work,” which will affect more than 80 million workers in the private sector.
During remarks on Sept. 9, Biden said that the United States “can and will turn the tide” against COVID-19 by mass vaccinations, while casting blame “at the 80 million” people who haven’t been vaccinated. “We’re in a tough stretch,” he said. “This is not about freedom or personal choice” but is about protection against COVID-19.
The president further claimed the “unvaccinated” are “crowding our hospitals” and said vaccines provide protection against COVID-19 hospitalizations.
To this point, 15 Republican Governors have responded to Biden.
South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem:
South Dakota will stand up to defend freedom. @JoeBiden see you in court.
— Governor Kristi Noem (@govkristinoem) September 9, 2021
Texas Governor Greg Abbott:
Biden’s vaccine mandate is an assault on private businesses.
I issued an Executive Order protecting Texans’ right to choose whether they get the COVID vaccine & added it to the special session agenda.
Texas is already working to halt this power grab.https://t.co/TwoQMhDxoM
— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) September 9, 2021
Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt:
My administration will continue to defend Oklahoma values and fight back against the Biden administration’s federal overreach.
— Governor Kevin Stitt (@GovStitt) September 9, 2021
Alabama Governor Kay Ivey:
Once again, @POTUS has missed the mark. His outrageous, overreaching mandates will no doubt be challenged in the courts. Read my full statement below. #alpolitics pic.twitter.com/9BNbvenVEJ
— Governor Kay Ivey (@GovernorKayIvey) September 9, 2021
Georgia Governor Brian Kemp:
I will pursue every legal option available to the state of Georgia to stop this blatantly unlawful overreach by the Biden administration.
— Governor Brian P. Kemp (@GovKemp) September 9, 2021
Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon:
The Biden Administration’s announcement to mandate COVID-19 vaccinations or weekly testing for private businesses is an egregious example of big government overreach. Our Constitution was written and fought for to protect our liberties as American citizens. 1/3
— Governor Mark Gordon (@GovernorGordon) September 9, 2021
I have asked the Attorney General to stand prepared to take all actions to oppose this administration’s unconstitutional overreach of executive power. It has no place in America. Not now, and not ever.
— Governor Mark Gordon (@GovernorGordon) September 9, 2021
Tennessee Governor Bill Lee
To be clear: the vaccine is the best tool we have to combat the pandemic but heavy-handed mandates are the wrong approach.
— Gov. Bill Lee (@GovBillLee) September 9, 2021
Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts:
Americans, not the federal government, are responsible for taking charge of their personal health. It is not the role of the federal government to mandate their choices.
— Gov. Pete Ricketts (@GovRicketts) September 9, 2021
Idaho Governor Brad Little:
I still urge Idahoans to choose safe and effective ways to protect themselves from COVID-19 for the continued health and prosperity of the people of Idaho.
— Brad Little (@GovernorLittle) September 9, 2021
Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds:
As I’ve said all along, I believe and trust in Iowans to make the best health decisions for themselves and their families. It’s time for President Biden to do the same. Enough is enough. (3/3/)
— Gov. Kim Reynolds (@IAGovernor) September 9, 2021
South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster:
Rest assured, we will fight them to the gates of hell to protect the liberty and livelihood of every South Carolinian.
— Gov. Henry McMaster (@henrymcmaster) September 9, 2021
Missouri Governor Mike Parson:
The Biden Administration’s recent announcement seeking to dictate personal freedom and private business decisions is an insult to our American principles of individual liberty and free enterprise.
(1/3)— Governor Mike Parson (@GovParsonMO) September 9, 2021
Vaccination protects us from serious illness, but the decision to get vaccinated is a private health care decision that should remain as such. My administration will always fight back against federal power grabs and government overreach that threatens to limit our freedoms. (3/3)
— Governor Mike Parson (@GovParsonMO) September 9, 2021
Arizona Governor Doug Ducey:
Maybe it’s because they realize this is pure government overreach. Maybe it’s because they realize this will only make workforce shortages worse. Or maybe it’s simply a case of “rules for thee, not for me.” It’s hypocrisy and Arizona will not stand for it. 2/2
— Doug Ducey (@dougducey) September 9, 2021
Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves:
The President has no authority to require that Americans inject themselves because of their employment at a private business. The vaccine itself is life-saving, but this unconstitutional move is terrifying. This is still America, and we still believe in freedom from tyrants.
— Tate Reeves (@tatereeves) September 9, 2021
Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy:
This is ridiculous and unenforceable. If there was ever a case for the 25th Amendment…https://t.co/yibulJ298Z#25thAmendment #akgov #Alaska
— Governor Mike Dunleavy (@GovDunleavy) September 10, 2021
Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson
In response to President Biden’s Covid-19 action plan: pic.twitter.com/550XsT704V
— Gov. Asa Hutchinson (@AsaHutchinson) September 9, 2021
The number of Governors coming out against Biden continues to grow.
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