US Republicans Call Biden's Vaccine Mandate "Illegal, File Lawsuit"

President Joe Biden of the United States [Photo by EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Byung-hee] As opposition from the Republican Party intensifies against President Joe Biden's de facto mandate for COVID-19 vaccinations, there is a possibility that the issue could escalate into a legal battle.

According to the New York Times (NYT) on the 11th (local time), President Biden's vaccine mandate is based on emergency powers granted to the executive branch by Congress under the Occupational Safety and Health Act. Enacted in 1970, this law allows the federal government to exercise authority to protect employees from "serious hazards" in the workplace.

The White House maintains that this law is a legitimate means to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. However, it also acknowledges that the emergency provisions of the law have previously been used to protect workers from asbestos and other industrial hazards, but have never been employed to mandate vaccinations.

The NYT pointed out, "The novelty of this measure lies at the center of the legal threats posed by Republican lawmakers, governors, and experts who have vowed to challenge the president's exercise of authority over workplace regulations."

The Republican Party is strongly opposing the mandate. Georgia Governor Brian Kemp called the measure "blatantly illegal" and stated, "The state of Georgia will not support this." Senator Ted Cruz criticized President Biden's action on Twitter as "completely unlawful." Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who banned mandatory mask-wearing in schools, claimed that "Biden has declared war on constitutional government, the rule of law, and the jobs and livelihoods of millions of Americans."

The Republican Party has already announced plans to file lawsuits, arguing that the vaccine mandate is unconstitutional.

In a statement on the 9th, the Republican National Committee (RNC) declared, "We intend to file lawsuits against the Biden administration's unconstitutional vaccine mandate," adding, "This is to protect Americans and the freedoms of Americans."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.