Biden to announce sweeping vaccine mandates for private companies with 100 or more employees
Thomas McDonald
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President Biden is set to announce a new vaccine mandate Thursday that will order all businesses with 100 employees or more to require workers to be vaccinated against COVID-19 or face weekly testing.
“This plan will ensure that we are using every available tool to combat COVID-19 and save even more lives in the months ahead, while also keeping schools open and safe, and protecting our economy from lockdowns and damage,” a memo the White House released Thursday said.
The 11-page memo, entitled “Path Out of the Pandemic,” outlines six different points that the president expects to help beat the pandemic.
The White House expects the new regulation on businesses with 100 or more employees to affect around 100 million Americans. Businesses that do not comply will face fines up to $14,000 per violation, according to a White House official.
Businesses also will be required to give workers paid time off to get vaccinated, according to the new rules.
White House press secretary Jen Psaki said the mandate would apply to nearly 2.1 million federal workers, giving them 75 days to get vaccinated. If federal workers do not comply, they will be subject to a standard disciplinary process.
There will be exemptions from the mandate for people with disabilities or those who decline for religious reasons.
Reactions to Biden’s new mandate spread across social media. Many pointing out the dictatorial nature of Biden’s approach to handling the pandemic.
“Biden is a tyrant. Decreeing that citizens can’t partake in our self governance by working in the executive branch of the federal govt unless you take a vaccine he wants you to take. The fact that our citizenry had allowed this is appalling,” conservative author Liz Wheeler tweeted.
“What would happen if all 2.1 million federal employers refused to play ball with Dictator Biden and did not get the vaccine? Can our government afford to lose 2.1 million workers in one day? Can our government afford a union strike?” Candace Owens tweeted.
“Joe Biden will force the vaccine on federal workers and contractors just so he can shift the conversation away from Afghanistan. Terrible president. Terrible human being,” Lisa Boothe tweeted.
“Are you people trying to start a full on revolt? Honestly what the hell is wrong with Democrats? Leave people the hell alone. This is insanity,” Texas Rep. Dan Crenshaw (R) tweeted.
“South Dakota will stand up to defend freedom,” South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem tweeted in response to the mandate.
“@JoeBiden see you in court,” she added.