Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Republican Governors Plan 'Pushback' And To Fight Executive Orders In Court
The Washington Post: Republican Governors Threaten To Sue Over Biden’s Sweeping Vaccine Mandates
Republican leaders in the United States are blasting President Biden’s sweeping new coronavirus vaccine mandates for businesses and federal workers, decrying them as unconstitutional infringements on personal liberties and promising to sue. ... Republican governors from Texas to Missouri and Georgia threatened to fight back. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott called the mandates “an assault on private businesses” and said the state is “already working to halt this power grab.” Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon said he asked his state’s attorney general “to stand prepared to take all actions to oppose this administration’s unconstitutional overreach of executive power,” as South Dakota Gov. Kristi L. Noem said “see you in court.” Republican National Committee Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel also said the group “will sue the administration to protect Americans and their liberties.” (Timsit and Pietsch, 9/10)
NBC News: RNC Says It Plans To Sue Biden Administration Over Federal Vaccination Mandate
The Republican National Committee said Thursday that it plans to sue the Biden administration after the president issued two sweeping executive orders that will require Covid vaccinations for as many as 100 million people in the U.S. RNC Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel said the mandate was "unconstitutional" in a statement. "Joe Biden told Americans when he was elected that he would not impose vaccine mandates. He lied. Now small businesses, workers, and families across the country will pay the price," she said. (Clark, 9/9)
AP: Arizona Gov: Biden 'Overreaching' With New Rule
Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey says President Joe Biden is overreaching with his new requirement for employees of large businesses to be vaccinated or regularly tested for COVID-19. The Republican governor said the Biden rule “requires pushback and response” but declined to say how the state would respond. (9/10)
Atlanta Journal-Constitution: Georgia Governor Threatens To Sue To Block Biden’s New Vaccine Mandates
Gov. Brian Kemp threatened to go to court to block President Joe Biden’s new federal vaccine requirements, the most expansive steps yet taken by the Democrat’s administration to contain a surging coronavirus pandemic. Kemp said Thursday that he will “pursue every legal option available to the state of Georgia to stop this blatantly unlawful overreach by the Biden administration” shortly after the president announced plans that could affect as many as 100 million Americans. (Bluestein, 9/9)
AP: Gianforte Promises To Fight Federal COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate
Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte on Thursday said a new federal coronavirus vaccination mandate that could affect as many as 100 million Americans is “unlawful and un-American.” The Republican said in a Tweet that he is “committed to protecting Montanans’ freedoms and liberties against this gross federal overreach.” (Samuels and Hanson, 9/9)
AP: Arkansas Governor Says Vaccine Mandate Not Right Approach
Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson on Thursday said President Joe Biden’s mandate that many private businesses require employees to get vaccinated against COVID-19 is the wrong approach for boosting vaccination rates. Hutchinson, a Republican who chairs the National Governors Association, compared Biden’s order to a push by some conservatives to prohibit private businesses from requiring vaccinations. (DeMillo, 9/9)
Anchorage Daily News: Anchorage Mayor Bronson Criticizes Biden Vaccine Mandate
Anchorage Mayor Dave Bronson on Thursday criticized President Joe Biden’s newly announced vaccine mandate, calling it “wrong and immoral.” Biden’s new order requires all employers with 100 or more employees to have a fully vaccinated workforce or test unvaccinated workers weekly. Bronson also said that the municipality “will not comply” with the president’s directive, although a spokesman for the mayor later said attorneys for the city are still evaluating whether it applies to Anchorage municipal employees. (Goodykoontz, 9/9)
