Biden Admin Tells Businesses To Implement Vaccine Mandate Despite Federal Court Halting Mandate

White House Deputy Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said on Monday that the Biden administration’s message to businesses that fall under its vaccine mandate is that they “should not wait” to implement the measure despite a federal court ordering late last week that the mandate be paused due to possible “grave statutory and constitutional issues.”

The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals granted an emergency stay of the federal requirement for companies with 100 or more employees to mandate COVID vaccinations by January 4, 2022, or implement regular testing for workers.

“We think we — people should not wait,” Jean Pierre said. “It’s — we say: Do not wait to take actions that will keep your workplace safe. It is important and critical to do, and waiting to get more people vaccinated will lead to more outbreaks and sickness.”

“So, this is about keeping people in a workplace safe,” she said. “And so — and what we’re seeing is more businesses and school closures and most lost jobs in — keep us — keep us stuck in a pandemic that we’re trying to end. Like we do not want that to happen.  We’re trying to get past this pandemic, and we know the way to do that is to get people vaccinated. So, people should not wait. They should continue to go — move forward and make sure that they’re getting their workplace vaccinated.”

REPORTER: We heard this initial White House response to the Fifth Circuit staying the OSHA rule — the vaccine or test mandate that was (inaudible) — really take effect there beginning of next year.  What’s the — is the White House concerned that the legal wrangling surrounding that rule could delay the implementation of that?  And what’s the administration’s message to businesses and Americans, you know, who are subject to that rule?

KARINE JEAN-PIERRE, DEPUTY PRESS SECRETARY:  So, broadly speaking, at least on the confidence, defending a policy is not a new thing from an administration, regardless if it’s a Republican or Democratic administration.  This is something that happens all the time.

The administration clearly has the authority to protect workers, and actions announced by the President are designed to save lives and stop the spread of COVID-19.  And as DOJ said, they will be defending these lawsuits. 

But I also want to step back for a second because there is precedence here.  You know, the Department of Labor has a responsibility to keep workers