Indianz.Com > News > Montana Free Press: Another federal judge blocks COVID-19 vaccine mandate
Federal judge blocks third Biden vaccine mandate
The court order temporarily bars a COVID-19 vaccine requirement for federal workers in Montana and nationwide.
Monday, December 13, 2021
Montana Free Press
A U.S. District Court judge in Georgia last Tuesday temporarily blocked a third COVID-19 vaccine requirement issued by President Joe Biden that would apply to federal contractors and subcontractors. In granting the injunction, which was requested by several states including Idaho, federal judge R. Stan Baker wrote that the plaintiffs have a likelihood of proving that Biden overstepped his executive authority in issuing the mandate.
Montana is not a plaintiff in the legal challenge in Georgia, having joined a parallel lawsuit filed in a Missouri federal court. Even so, Baker’s order prohibits enforcement of the mandate nationwide. Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen released a statement Tuesday welcoming the injunction.
“I’ve heard from federal contractors and their employees across the state who were worried they’d be forced to get a vaccine they don’t want,” Knudsen wrote. “Just because a company happens to contract with the federal government does not mean its workers lose their rights. The vaccine mandates are a gross abuse of power — and now three of them are blocked in Montana. I’ll continue to fight President Biden’s unlawful mandates and protect Montanans’ rights.”
The vaccine mandates are a gross abuse of power – and now three of them are blocked in Montana. I’ll continue to fight President Biden’s unlawful mandates and protect Montanans’ rights.
Posted by Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen on Tuesday, December 7, 2021
Montana is one of 11 states that brought the legal challenge. In a statement supporting the lawsuit, Gianforte denounced the OSHA rule as “illegal” in the state due to the Legislature’s passage this spring of a new law adding vaccination status as a protected class under the Montana Human Rights Act. “Not only does President Biden’s mandate violate Montana law banning vaccine-based discrimination, but also it will further strain Montana employers already facing a worker shortage,” Gianforte said in a statement released shortly after the lawsuit was filed. “We will use all tools at our disposal to protect Montanans against this gross, unprecedented federal overreach.” Republican U.S. Sen. Steve Daines also came out in support of Montana’s legal challenge, calling the OSHA rule “Washington overreach at its worst.” “I encourage all Montanans to talk with their doctor and get a safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine, but do not support top-down government mandates,” Daines said in a Nov. 5 statement. “I will continue fighting back in Congress against these mandates that are hurting Montana businesses and workers. No one should have to choose between getting the shot or keeping their job.” The U.S. Senate is poised to take a vote on congressional legislation opposing the OSHA rule. Ahead of the vote, Democratic U.S. Sen. Jon Tester issued a statement saying he’s heard repeatedly in recent months from Montana business owners and community leaders concerned about the impacts a vaccine requirement for private companies would have on “their bottom lines and our state’s economy.” “That’s why I intend to join a bipartisan majority of my colleagues in defending Montana jobs and small businesses against these burdensome regulations,” Tester said in the statement Wednesday. “I strongly urge every eligible Montanan to get vaccinated as soon as possible so we can end this pandemic once and for all.” In the latest order Tuesday, Judge Baker noted that the case involving Biden’s mandate for federal contractors is not about whether vaccines are effective, and acknowledged the “tragic toll” that the pandemic has taken on the nation and the world. “However,” he continued, “even in times of crisis this Court must preserve the rule of law and ensure that all branches of government act within the bounds of their constitutionally granted authorities.”Courts have blocked yet another Biden vaccination mandate. We’ll continue defending the rights and livelihoods of Montanans against @JoeBiden’s unprecedented federal overreach. https://t.co/ioI7nKTRrC
— Governor Greg Gianforte (@GovGianforte) December 7, 2021
Staff reporter Alex Sakariassen covers the education beat and the state Legislature for Montana Free Press. Alex spent the past decade writing long-form narrative stories that spotlight the people, the politics, and the wilds of Montana. A North Dakota native, he splits his free time between Missoula’s ski slopes and the quiet trout water of the Rocky Mountain Front. Contact Alex by email at asakariassen@montanafreepress.org.
Note: This story originally appeared on Montana Free Press. It is published under a Creative Commons license.
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