Are Vaccine Mandates Constitutional?

            The topic of discussion for this Constitution Monday concerns two of the COVID-19 vaccine mandates made by the Biden administration. The U.S. Supreme Court scheduled oral arguments on the two cases for January 7 due to the fast-approaching compliance deadlines. The “mandates would apply to more than 100 million Americans who work at private-sector businesses and health care facilities.”

            Because The Heritage Foundation is one of the private employers with more than one hundred employees, they petitioned the Court to challenge the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA’s) COVID-19 vaccine mandate. The justices did not issue a stay against the mandate, which could apply before they reach a decision.

            Kevin Roberts, president of The Heritage Foundation noted on Newsmax that this is the first lawsuit filed by the organization in its 48-year history. “We stand to lose a lot … if the federal government is able to pierce that sacrosanct relationship between employer and employee. Scholars at Heritage “have written extensively on COVID-19 vaccine mandate,” and they argue that “OSHA lacks the authority to impose such a rule on private businesses.” Roberts added the following comment: 

It is unprecedented for us to file a lawsuit on our own behalf. The reason we’ve done so – and this should be telling for Americans – is that we believe the threat from this administration is that severe and is that unprecedented. And if we don’t stand up for our employees and their private data, and all Americans, then we believe this administration is going to get away with a lot more. They have revealed in less than one year what they are capable and willing to do. The Heritage Foundation, being the beachhead for Americans behind enemy lines, is going to be on offense every single day. We are your watchdog and we’re also going to be a bulldog when it comes to putting government back in its box.

            The Constitution outlines what the federal government can do, and it leaves all other powers to the States and the People. The Biden administration is overstepping its boundaries and must be stopped. The fact that Americans should be vaccinated does not give government the authority to force them to do so. Hopefully, the Supreme Court steps in quickly to shut down the power grab being made by the Biden administration.