Members of the Florida congressional delegation weighed in after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled last week that the Biden administration went too far in demanding that businesses with at least 100 employees had to have all of their workers receive COVID vaccines or wear masks and get regular COVID tests.
On a 6-3 ruling, the Court rejected the mandate from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). The Court’s three most liberal members–Stephen Breyer, Elena Kagan and Sonia Sotomayor--dissented from the ruling.
“OSHA has never before imposed such a mandate. Nor has Congress. Indeed, although Congress has enacted significant legislation addressing the COVID–19 pandemic, it has declined to enact any measure similar to what OSHA has promulgated here,” the majority ruled.
However, Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Brett Kavanaugh joined the liberals in a 54- ruling upholding OSHA’s mandate that employees of healthcare facilities that get Medicare, Medicaid and other federal funds need to be vaccinated.
Republicans in the Florida delegation applauded the first ruling.
“Today, the U.S. Supreme Court confirmed what the American people have always known and put President Biden back in his place. Joe Biden thinks that he has the authority to tell Americans how to live their life and what health care decisions they must make. He could not be more wrong, and the Court’s decision should serve as a powerful reminder to Biden that he is a president, not a king. I had COVID and I got the vaccine, but I will never support a mandate that kills jobs and takes decisions out of the hands of hardworking American families,” said U.S. Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla.
Democrats from the Sunshine State weighed in against it.
“Today’s ruling is a step in the wrong direction in the fight against COVID-19, especially when we know that vaccines are the best tool we have to reduce infection and keep people out of hospitals,” said U.S. Rep. Lois Frankel, D-Fla. “Vaccine mandates work. They improve vaccination rates and keep employees and customers healthy.”
