By BRENT MARTIN
St. Joseph Post
A federal appeals court has held up implementation of the Biden Administration’s requirement that businesses enforce a COVID-19 vaccine mandate.
The United States 5th Circuit Court of Appeals granted an emergency stay of the requirement to be enforced by OSHA on businesses of 100 employees or more. OSHA would require employees get vaccinated or submit to weekly tests and wear a mask.
Missouri U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt, a Republican, says members of Congress will likely pursue legal action as well.
“Well, I think it’s a big mistake,” Blunt tells reporters during a visit to St. Joseph. “I’m supporting the effort that we’ll initiate as soon as the rule becomes final to try to repeal that rule under the Congressional Review Act.”
The appellate court acted after Republican attorneys general from Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, and Utah filed suit. Several companies joined in the legal action against the mandate pushed by President Biden, a Democrat. The lawsuit argues the requirement exceeds the authority of OSHA, calling it an unconstitutional delegation of power by Congress to the executive branch.
Attorneys general from 26 states, including Missouri, have also filed lawsuits, attempting to block the business vaccine requirement.
While Republicans have lined up to oppose the mandate, even Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly, a Democrat, cast doubt on the wisdom of issuing it. Kelly issued a statement saying she doesn’t believe the directive is the correct or most effective solution for Kansas.
Blunt says Biden is overreaching.
“I think this is a huge misreading of both the American public and the Missouri public and the federal government’s ability to control these kinds of things,” Blunt says.
Blunt worries about the impact on the economy.
“I talked to a couple of people this week who run grocery stores,” Blunt says. “While they’re not for this, they were relieved that at least it starts January the 4th and gets us through the big holiday shopping season at grocery stores.”
The White House is urging businesses to abide by the mandate even as it is challenged in court.