The US Supreme Court has blocked President Biden's vaccine mandate for large businesses, ruling that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) does not have the authority to issue such a mandate. In a 6-3 decision on Thursday, the court handed a significant victory to businesses and individuals who opposed the mandate, originally expected to take effect on Jan. 18.
Chief Justice John Roberts, writing the majority opinion, said that OSHA's power to issue the mandate is limited to addressing "serious, imminent hazards" that could result in "death or serious bodily harm." The court determined that COVID-19 does not pose such a threat to most workers, thus concluding that the mandate is an "unlawful exercise of OSHA's authority".
The ruling drew praise from business groups and Republican lawmakers who argued that the mandate eroded federal power. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) commented, "The Supreme Court has rightly struck down the Biden administration's unconstitutional vaccine mandate. It's a victory for the rule of law, for the American people and for the millions of Americans who They are forced to choose between their jobs and their medical independence."
Public health experts and labor unions criticized the decision, saying the mandate was important to protect workers from COVID-19. Dr. Lena Wayne, an emergency physician and former Baltimore City health commissioner, called it a "disastrous decision for public health" and expressed concern about the safety of workers during the ongoing pandemic.
The implications of this decision are expected to be significant in the fight against COVID-19. Without the mandate, businesses would have the discretion to decide whether employee vaccinations are required. This could lead to a fragmented landscape of vaccination policies across the country, with some businesses choosing to mandate while others do not.
In addition, the decision is likely to impact other efforts by the Biden administration to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic. While the administration has considered alternative ways to implement vaccination, such as through executive action or legislation, the Supreme Court's decision means that these approaches may face legal challenges.