(Lincoln, NE) -- Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts responds to Thursday's announcement from OSHA about mandatory vaccines for companies with 100 employees or more.
Thursday morning, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration issued the requirements, stating that employees must be vaccinated against COVID-19 by January 4th, or be tested weekly for the virus and wear masks in the workplace. The new requirements are expected to apply to about 84 million workers at medium and large businesses.
By Thursday afternoon, Governor Pete Ricketts issued this statement:
“President Biden’s draconian vaccine mandate is an abuse of federal power. If this rule is allowed to take effect, many Nebraskans will be at risk of losing their jobs over something that should remain a personal health choice. I have been in communication with the Attorney General today, who will be taking the lead on Nebraska’s legal review of the potentially illegal federal vaccine mandate. We will fight back.” - Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts
On Thursday, Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds also said that she plans to take immediate legal action to challenge the new rules.
“President Biden is taking dangerous and unprecedented steps to insert the federal government even further into our lives while dismissing the ability of Iowans and Americans to make health care decisions for themselves. Biden’s plan pits Americans against Americans, while forcing them to choose between making a living or standing up for their personal beliefs. Biden’s actions will only worsen the existing workforce shortages and supply chain issues that hinder our economic recovery. I believe the vaccine is the best defense against COVID-19, but I also firmly believe in Iowans’ right to make healthcare decisions based on what’s best for themselves and their families, and I remain committed to protecting those freedoms. President Biden should do the same. We will take immediate legal action to challenge the Biden Administration’s rule on vaccine mandates for employees of companies employing 100 or more.” - Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds