Florida Launching Fight Against New Biden Administration Vaccination Requirements
TALLAHASSEE (CBSMiami) – Hours after the Biden administration moved forward with COVID-19 vaccination requirements for tens of millions of workers, Gov. Ron DeSantis said Thursday that Florida will join Georgia, Alabama and private plaintiffs in filing a legal challenge.
"Now it's gone to get jabbed or lose your job," said DeSantis at a press conference Thursday.
On Thursday, the governor said he will sue the federal government to stop the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's 500-page vaccine mandate that would require workers at businesses with more than 100 employees to get a COVID vaccine or receive regular testing and wear a mask at work.
"The federal government can't just unilaterally impose a medical policy under work place regulations and that is exactly what they are trying to do," said DeSantis.
The legislature will meet starting November 15 in a special session called by the governor to address multiple COVID-related policies, including school masking, vaccine mandates and unemployment benefits for people fired over vaccines.
DeSantis didn't directly call for a ban on private employer vaccine mandates, but he did say no one should be punished for making their own personal healthcare decision
"Do you get fired from your job or do you do this," said DeSantis.
Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody plans to file litigation as early as Friday, demanding the court immediately review OSHA's Emergency Temporary Standard.
"OSHA has never used its authority like this and it's absurd. This will affect numerous employees and will cost their businesses millions," said Moody.
DeSantis also argued that the cost of testing will come out of the employees' own pockets.
Attorney David Weinstein explained that as of now, "There are testing sites that will perform the test at no cost to the person that is being tested. However, the rule itself, that is being proposed wants there to be an impact on employees who do not agree to be tested. If the employee belongs to a union or has negotiated some else, they may have to pay for testing."
