Kennedy, Braun, Colleagues Challenge Biden Vaccine Mandate

Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) today joined Sen. Mike Braun (R-Ind.) and more than 30 other senators and representatives in moving to nullify President Biden's vaccine mandate on private employees under the Congressional Review Act, which is the official Congressional process for eliminating an executive branch rule.

"President Biden's vaccine mandate would force many Americans either to violate their consciences or lose their jobs. This overreach contradicts the president's earlier promise that he wouldn't impose such a mandate. I'm happy to partner with my colleagues to oppose this power grab," said Kennedy.

"Since the announcement of President Biden's vaccine and testing mandate in September, I have led the charge to strike down this vast overstep of authority by the federal government. Today, we are one step closer to protecting the liberties of millions of Americans in the private sector workforce under the Congressional Review Act. I urge my Senate colleagues to vote in favor of this disapproval resolution in the coming weeks," said Braun.

Biden is expected this week to issue a rule to officially mandate vaccination requirements for employees at private businesses with more than 100 employees. The rule will affect more than 80 million Americans and imposes $14,000 fines for individuals who do not comply with the mandate.

The federal employee and contractor plan doesn't allow a worker to submit to weekly COVID testing rather than taking the vaccine.

The lawmakers initiated a Congressional Review Act disapproval of Biden's vaccine mandate. The Congressional Review Act allows Congress to overturn certain federal agency regulations and actions through a joint resolution of disapproval. If such a joint resolution is approved by both houses of Congress and signed by the president, or if Congress successfully overrides a presidential veto, the rule at issue becomes invalid.

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