WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman James Comer released the following statement in response to President Biden’s announcement mandating private sector employers with over 100 employees to require vaccinations or weekly testing for COVID-19. Biden also issued an executive order requiring federal workers and employees of health care facilities receiving federal Medicare or Medicaid reimbursements to be vaccinated.

“With today’s announcement of widespread federal vaccine mandates, President Biden is using the power of the federal government to trample on the rights of job creators, medical facilities and workers. These unilateral executive orders unconstitutionally coerce private businesses to be the vaccine police, bringing fear and intimidation into the workplace while straining job creators with overreaching regulations. Even worse, the same President who has failed to nominate an FDA Commissioner during a pandemic is worsening staffing shortages at our hospitals by making crucial Medicaid and Medicare funding contingent on all employees being vaccinated.

I encourage Americans to consider being vaccinated after consulting their doctor. But vaccine mandates from politicians will only create more fear and distrust while hurting the ability of our medical facilities to care for those in need.”