Biden Administration’s Vaccine Mandate Blocked by Federal Court

On Saturday a federal appeals court temporarily blocked requirements that the Biden administration previously put in place that apply to private businesses with 100 or more employees. In the order, a three judge panel on the fifth circuit court of appeals said that petitioners in the case, Republican-led states and private businesses, ‘give cause to believe there are grave statutory and constitutional issues with the mandate.’ The court asked the government to respond by 5 pm today and said it would expedite the case. The court did not say whether the order would have nationwide effect or if it would only apply to the states under it’s jurisdiction.

Last week, the Biden administration announced that its vaccine rules apply to private businesses with 100 or more employees, certain health care workers and federal contractors and will take effect on January 4th. Those rules stipulate that employees who fall into those groups will need to be fully vaccinated by January 4th. Under OSHA, if employees remain unvaccinated, they will need to provide a verified negative test to their employer on a weekly basis and must wear a face mask in the workplace.