President Joe Biden is signaling that he is not concerned about potential challenges to his COVID-19 vaccine mandate.
On Thursday, a reporter asked the president what his message was to people who are “are calling your vaccine requirements an overreach, who are threatening to challenge it in court.”
“Have at it,” Biden responded. “I am so disappointed that particularly some of the Republican governors have been so cavalier with the health of these kids, so cavalier with the health of their communities. We’re playing for real here. This isn’t a game.”
“And I don’t know of any scientist out there in this field that doesn’t think it makes considerable sense to do the six things I’ve suggested,” he added.
Watch the video below:
On Thursday, Biden announced a new coronavirus vaccine mandate that could affect up to 100 million workers, as IJR reported.
“Many of us are frustrated with the nearly 80 million Americans who are still not vaccinated, even though the vaccine is safe, effective, and free,’ he said.
He added, “What more do you need to see? We’ve made vaccinations free, safe, and convenient. The vaccine is FDA approved. Over 200 million Americans have gotten at least one shot. We’ve been patient, but our patience is wearing thin, and your refusal has cost all of us.”
Shortly after the mandate was announced, several Republican governors said they would challenge it in court.
Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp (R) tweeted, “I will pursue every legal option available to the state of Georgia to stop this blatantly unlawful overreach by the Biden administration.”
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
South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem (R) said, “South Dakota will stand up to defend freedom.”
https://twitter.com/govkristinoem/status/1436060414970892288
Other Republican governors also said the opposed they mandate:
In response to President Biden’s Covid-19 action plan: pic.twitter.com/550XsT704V
— Gov. Asa Hutchinson (@AsaHutchinson) September 9, 2021
Biden’s vaccine mandate is an assault on private businesses.
— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) September 9, 2021
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
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
This is exactly the kind of big government overreach we have tried so hard to prevent in Arizona — now the Biden-Harris administration is hammering down on private businesses and individual freedoms in an unprecedented and dangerous way. This will never stand up in court. 1/2 https://t.co/FcSyR4DLwD
— Doug Ducey (@DougDucey) September 9, 2021
While the majority of Republican governors in the country tweeted their disapproval of the mandate, Vermont Gov. Phil Scott (R) said, “I appreciate the President’s continued prioritization of vaccination and the country’s recovery as we move forward. As Vermont’s experience shows, vaccines work and save lives. They are the best and fastest way to move past this pandemic.”
