WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) joined all Senate Republicans in filing a Congressional Review Act (CRA) disapproval resolution, the official process for Congress to eliminate an executive branch rule, against President Biden’s vaccine mandate for private businesses.
“At a time when companies are facing higher costs to do business and supply-chain disruptions, any threat to retaining their workforce is reckless for our economy,” said Sen. Cornyn. “Not only does this Administration lack the constitutional authority to issue a sweeping vaccine mandate for private companies, they are demonstrating a brazen disregard for personal liberty. Challenging this power-grab is important for the fundamental freedoms of millions of Texans to make their own health decisions without fear of losing their livelihoods.”
Sen. Cornyn was joined by Senators Mike Braun, Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, Dan Sullivan, Bill Hagerty, Roger Marshall, Mike Lee, James Lankford, Rick Scott, Marsha Blackburn, Rand Paul, Cynthia Lummis, Shelley Moore Capito, Marco Rubio, John Barrasso, Cindy Hyde-Smith, John Thune, Jerry Moran, Roger Wicker, Richard Burr, Mike Rounds, John Hoeven, Pat Toomey, Tommy Tuberville, James Risch, Mike Crapo, Ted Cruz, Tom Cotton, Joni Ernst, Kevin Cramer, Josh Hawley, John Boozman, Jim Inhofe, Chuck Grassley, Todd Young, John Kennedy, Ron Johnson, Ben Sasse, Steve Daines, Deb Fischer, Lindsey Graham, Thom Tillis, Tim Scott, Bill Cassidy, Roy Blunt, Richard Shelby, Rob Portman, Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski, and Mitt Romney.
Background:
On September 8, President Joe Biden announced vaccine mandates that extend to 80 million private sector workers and additional mandates on millions of federal workers and contractors. To implement this mandate, OSHA issued an Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS). Employers that fail to comply will be fined $13, 653 for each offense and willful violations will result in a $136,532 penalty. This rule places unrealistic compliance burdens on employers—especially during a time where business and supply chains are already under duress. For example, 30 days after publication, all requirements other than testing for employees must be in place. In addition, 60 days after publication, all testing requirements must be in place.