Hartzler introduces legislation to end federal vaccine mandates for employees

Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler (R-MO.) introduced theStop Federal Vaccine Mandates for Employees Act in response to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) vaccine mandate on private sector businesses with over 100 employees.

Specifically, this legislation would amend the Occupational Safety and Health Act to prohibit OSHA from publishing any Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) that enforces a vaccine or drug mandate on covered employees.

“As indicated by Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito last week, this federalized vaccine mandate on workers in the private sector is an unprecedented action by OSHA, or any federal agency, and underscores the importance of following our Constitution — not authoritarian leaders,”said Hartzler. “Regardless of the political party in the White House, the federal government should never force personal health care decisions based on political whims and sinking approval ratings.”

OSHA’s ETS mandating employees receive COVID-19 vaccinations or submit to weekly testing took effect on Jan. 10. Penalties for failing to comply with testing requirements will take effect on Feb. 9, unless the U.S. Supreme Court rules otherwise.

Hartzler has spoken with many small businesses in Missouri’s Fourth Congressional District who are struggling due to the mandate. The congresswoman has also held monthly telephone town halls where constituents outlined their concerns with this authoritarian action taken by the Biden administration.