Ranking Member Burr Statement on SCOTUS Blocking OSHA’s Sweeping Vaccine Mandate

Today, Senator Richard Burr (R-NC), Ranking Member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, released the following statement on the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to block the Biden Administration’s vaccine mandate for private employers with more than 100 employees: 

“The Supreme Court is right to block the Biden Administration’s sweeping federal vaccine and testing mandate, which continues to face ongoing legal challenges. If enacted, the federal mandate would affect 84 million workers, regardless of whether or not they face occupational risks from COVID-19. As the Court notes, the Biden Administration is attempting to instate a broad public health requirement that far exceeds OSHA’s legal authority and historic precedent.

“I’m a huge proponent of encouraging every American who is eligible to get vaccinated and boosted against COVID-19. Amid supply chain issues and labor shortages, however, the last thing we need to do is place unnecessary pressure on an already strained workforce. Instead, I hope the Administration will focus on developing a long-term strategy on COVID-19.”