Vaccine Mandate for Federal Workers Blocked

Cleaning and maintenance staff who work for the federal government are no longer required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 after a ruling by a federal judge in Texas, Reuters reports.

On Friday, U.S. District Judge Jeffrey Brown questioned whether President Joe Biden could “require millions of federal employees to undergo a medical procedure as a condition of their employment,” calling it “a bridge too far.”

The court decision was the latest setback to the Biden administration’s efforts to require various groups of American workers to get vaccinated to help stop the spread of COVID-19. The administration had issued an order requiring about 3.5 million government workers to get vaccinated by November 22, 2021, or face discipline or firing. The emergency order has been tied up in the courts since last year.

Judge Brown said it was his understanding that the government was going to begin disciplining noncompliant employees soon. The White House said this month it wanted federal agencies to begin mandating weekly COVID-19 tests for the unvaccinated by February 15, 2022.

According to the White House, more than 93% of federal employees have received at least one vaccination and 98% have been vaccinated or are seeking a religious or medical exemption.

“We are confident in our legal authority,” White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki said in response to the judge’s ruling.

The Justice Department plans to appeal the ruling.