DeSantis sues Biden administration over vaccine mandate for federal contractors

by | Oct 28, 2021



Governor Ron DeSantis announced a lawsuit against the White House on Thursday, pushing back against President Joe Biden‘s new vaccine mandate.

The latest clash between the two potential 2024 presidential candidates, DeSantis’ lawsuit seeks to hold Biden’s feet to the fire for issuing an order that would require federal contractors to receive a mandated injection of the vaccine by December 8. Speaking at the Florida Air Museum in Lakeland, and joined by Republican leaders, the Governor prepared for another showdown with Biden.

“Just months ago Joe Biden was saying that it wouldn’t be appropriate or lawful for the federal government to mandate these COVID shots,” said DeSantis. “But now we have somehow gone from 15 days to slow the spread to 3 jabs to keep your job. The federal government is exceeding their power and it is important for us to take a stand because in Florida we believe these are choices based on individual circumstances.”

The lawsuit alleges that the president doesn’t have the authority to issue the rule and that it violates procurement law. DeSantis, an ardent opponent against federal vaccination and masking requirements, announced plans last Thursday to call lawmakers back to Tallahassee for a Special Legislative Session to consider a number of proposals designed to protect the rights of individual workers against vaccine mandates.

“Governor DeSantis has made it abundantly clear that we have a responsibility to fight back against unconstitutional federal overreach and that is exactly what we will accomplish through this lawsuit and during the upcoming Special Session,” said Lieutenant Governor Jeanette Nuñez. “We look forward to working with Senate President Simpson and House Speaker Sprowls to empower parents, provide protections for employees, and further protect our rights and liberties that we hold dear as Floridians.”

Biden, however, has argued in recent weeks that the sweeping mandates will help end a pandemic.

“I have never seen such blatant disregard for the Constitution or the laws governing our country,” said Attorney General Ashley Moody. “President Biden does not have the authority to force millions of Americans to receive a shot, nor does he have the ability to punish Florida economically for not abiding by his authoritarian, unlawful, and unconstitutional executive order. I promised to challenge this gross abuse of power and to stand up for hardworking Floridians and that is exactly why I am suing this president and his reckless administration. As Attorney General, I have an obligation to defend the rule of law, Florida’s workers, and our state against heavy-handed federal overreach.”

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