Vaccines Work, Mandates Don't
by Congressman Mike Simpson
It is a testament to scientists, as well as the foresight and initiative of the Trump Administration, that Americans began receiving doses of COVID-19 vaccines less than a year after the disease was first detected in the United States. By now, 210 million Americans—that’s over 63%—have been fully vaccinated and can help prevent the spread of severe COVID-19. As President Trump recently said, vaccines work, and more Americans should choose to get vaccinated to protect themselves and their families. I got vaccinated and I am comfortable with my decision to do so, but it was just that—my decision.
I firmly believe, along with all House Republicans, that the federal government has no business telling private business owners how to manage their employees, especially when it comes to private health concerns. Let me be clear, I will never support a vaccine mandate. That is why I have cosponsored several pieces of federal legislation to block or defund President Biden’s egregious vaccine mandates.
H.R. 5811, the No Vaccine Mandate Act: would prohibit the use of federal Fiscal Year 2022 funds for enforcing any rule requiring a COVID-19 vaccination.
H.J.Res 65: a joint resolution that would entirely erase the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) emergency temporary standard (ETS) forcing employers to require COVID-19 vaccination or weekly testing.
H.R. 5471, the Health Freedom for All Act: would prevent the Department of Labor from issuing a COVID-19 vaccine mandate and would clarify that under existing law, OSHA does not have the authority to implement widespread COVID-19 vaccine or testing mandates.
