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Missouri politicians comment on President Biden’s new vaccine mandate that could cover 100 million Americans

A coronavirus vaccine being prepared for administration.
KMIZ
A coronavirus vaccine being prepared for administration.

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Several state and local politicians have expressed their opinions on President Biden's new vaccine mandate that could cover 100 million Americans.

U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-MO)

Gov. Mike Parson (R)

Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt

Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler (R)

Despite the core tenet of America’s foundation being freedom, President Biden and his administration vowed to diminish this right yesterday and force our citizens to either get the vaccine or face the consequences. This approach is draconian and will surely be challenged in the courts.
 
Since day one, I have made it clear that whether or not to receive the vaccine should be a personal decision between your family and doctor. The White House’s demands violate this principle.
 
Additionally, this misguided government overreach will have severe consequences on America’s workforce. Our most recent jobs report showed the nation is severely lagging behind job creation projections.  Threatening workers through forced vaccination will only cause further difficulties in hiring for small businesses and significantly damage our already bruised economy.
 
After months of disastrous leadership at the border, overseas in Afghanistan, and now with this authoritarian plan, the president has failed to lead the American people out of crises. Instead, he used his power and position to create them.
 
This administration has put us in an untenable position where our allies don't trust us and our enemies don't fear us. He has trampled on our rights and endangered our citizens.  It may only be eight months into their term, but it’s past time for new leadership in the White House.

Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler (R-MO)

The Missouri Chamber of Commerce issued the following statement on the federal vaccine plan.

The Biden Administration’s new COVID-19 vaccine and testing mandate is the wrong approach for business. As always, the Missouri Chamber will stand against attempts to place new government mandates on our employer community. 

Each workplace is different and employers have long held the right to establish vaccine policies that work for their businesses. The Missouri Chamber believes all employers should continue to have this right when it comes to the COVID-19 vaccine.

In contrast with Biden Administration’s approach, we believe the federal government should instead cooperate with the employer community to encourage vaccination and support employers that exercise their legal right to require vaccination.

It’s unfortunate that this new federal policy will likely further divide public sentiment around COVID-19 vaccination. The Missouri Chamber believes that vaccination remains key to our economic recovery. We need to more Missourians to get vaccinated so that we can begin to put this pandemic behind us. The Missouri Chamber will continue leading in this effort and we strongly encourage all Missourians to get vaccinated against COVID-19.

Daniel P. Mehan, president and CEO of the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry
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