WASHINGTON, D.C.—The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the Biden administration did not have authority to impose a vaccine mandate on private businesses with 100 or more employees.
North Dakota’s congressional delegation had joined a bicameral effort, led by Senator Mike Braun (R-Ind.), in filing an amicus brief arguing that Congress did not give the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) the authority to impose a vaccine mandate and urging the court to stay the mandate. The full text of the brief can be read here.
Senator John Hoeven, R-ND, issued the following statement. “Today’s Supreme Court ruling blocks President Biden’s unconstitutional vaccine mandate on private employers and prevents it from being enforced,” said Hoeven. “The administration’s mandate is a clear violation of individual rights, and we appreciate the Court agreeing with our argument that the mandate goes far beyond any authority granted by Congress.”
In a social media post, Senator Kevin Cramer, R-ND, wrote, “The Biden Administration’s sweeping, nationwide vaccine mandate on businesses is unconstitutional and oversteps their authority. It took the Supreme Court to set the record straight for Biden and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.”
“SCOTUS’s decision to block Biden’s unconstitutional vaccine mandate is a win for the Constitution, a win for the rule of law, and a win for all North Dakotans,” said Congressman Kelly Armstrong, R-ND.
Governor Doug Burgum also released the following statement, “Today’s ruling reaffirms what we’ve said from the beginning: This misguided vaccine mandate was blatant federal overreach by the Biden administration,” Burgum said. “Vaccines and boosters remain the best defense against COVID-19 severe illness, hospitalization, and death and are readily available to all North Dakota residents, and we encourage those who haven’t been vaccinated to consult with their trusted medical provider.”
The Supreme Court upheld 5-4 a separate vaccine mandate on employers who receive funding through federal Medicare or Medicaid programs, affecting an estimated 17 million health care workers.
Gov. Burgum expressed his disappointment that hospitals and long-term care facilities won’t be allowed to make their own vaccine decisions as private employers.
