Conservative governors vow to fight the president’s new vaccine mandate.
Conservative governors across the U.S. are threatening to fight President Joe Biden’s vaccine mandate plan, which will require businesses with more than 100 employees to require inoculation or weekly COVID-19 testing.
The move was applauded and condemned by Americans, political leaders and union heads. It will be enacted through a forthcoming rule from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration that carries penalties up to $14,000 per violation, an administration official said.
The governors of Arizona, Montana, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas vowed to fight the mandate, and the Republican National Committee said it will file a lawsuit against the Biden administration when the requirement goes into effect.
“When his decree goes into effect, the RNC will sue the administration to protect Americans and their liberties,” RNC Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel said.
South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster promised “we will fight them to the gates of hell to protect liberty and livelihood of every South Carolinian.” Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said on Twitter that the state was “already working to halt this power grab.”
Biden said Friday he is “disappointed” in the governors who said they plan to challenge his new requirements, adding that they have been “so cavalier” about the health of children and their communities.