The state of Florida on Thursday sued President Joe Biden’s administration over its coronavirus vaccine mandate for federal contractors, opening one more battleground between Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis and the White Home.
The lawsuit, introduced by DeSantis at a information convention, alleges the president would not have the authority to concern the rule and that it violates procurement legislation.
DeSantis has vowed authorized motion over federal vaccination necessities and fought masking and vaccine guidelines applied by native governments in Florida. He just lately introduced he would name state lawmakers to the Capitol subsequent month to cross laws to fight vaccine mandates enacted by non-public companies. DeSantis is eyeing a doable 2024 presidential run and has been constant in his criticism of Biden’s dealing with of the pandemic and different points.
The case was filed in U.S. District Court docket in Tampa and names Biden, NASA Administrator Invoice Nelson in addition to White Home contracting officers as defendants.
Along with a vaccine mandate for federal contractors, which is about to enter impact in December, Biden has additionally introduced that personal employers with 100 or extra staff must require them to be vaccinated or examined weekly. The roughly 17 million staff at well being amenities that obtain federal Medicare or Medicaid additionally must be totally vaccinated. Extra particulars on the insurance policies are anticipated to be launched quickly.
Biden has argued that the sweeping mandates will assist finish a pandemic that has claimed the lives of greater than 740,000 People.
However Republicans nationwide have opposed the vaccination necessities and have threatened to carry related authorized challenges. On Wednesday, 21 Republican state attorneys normal despatched a letter to the president saying they suppose his vaccination mandate for federal contractors “stands on shaky authorized floor,” is complicated to contractors and will exacerbate supply-chain issues.
