The Biden administration is urging companies to get their employees vaccinated against COVID-19 despite pending court cases challenging the rule.
During a Monday press briefing, White House principal deputy press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters, “We think people should not wait.”
She continued, “We say do not wait to take actions that will keep your workplace safe. It is important and critical to do, and waiting to get more people vaccinated will lead to more outbreaks and sickness.”
Jean-Pierre argued the way to get past the pandemic is “to get people vaccinated.”
Watch the press briefing below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YR4-wKQkJVQ
She also explained the administration believes “there is precedent here,” adding, “The Department of Labor has a responsibility to keep workers safe and the legal authority to do so.”
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit temporarily halted the mandate over the weekend, as IJR reported.
“Because the petitions give cause to believe there are grave statutory and constitutional issues with the Mandate, the Mandate is hereby STAYED pending further action by this court,” the ruling states.
The Biden administration has until Monday at 5 p.m. to respond to the petitioners’ motion for a permanent injunction.
A group of plaintiffs, including Republican Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry, filed a lawsuit challenging the rule Friday.
“In a major win for the liberty of job creators and their employees, the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit just halted the Biden Administration’s attempt to force vaccines on businesses with 100 or more workers,” Landry said in a response to the ruling.
He continued, “The Court’s action not only halts Biden from moving forward with his unlawful overreach, but also commands the judicious review we sought. [President Biden] will not impose medical procedures on the American people without the checks and balances afforded by our Constitution.”
In September, Biden announced his administration would be mandating all companies with 100 or more workers to require vaccinations against the virus or testing on a weekly basis.
“We’ve been patient,” Biden said. “But our patience is wearing thin. And your refusal has cost all of us.”
