The U.S. Supreme Court will weigh in on the federal vaccine mandate Friday, which could affect employers nationwide as well as tens of millions of U.S. workers.
Today, the Justices will hear arguments on the constitutionality of President Biden’s emergency executive order forcing private businesses with 100 or more employees to submit to mandatory vaccinations or face weekly testing.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) first announced how it would enforce the mandate in November, which was immediately challenged in the court. The 5th Circuit Court of Appeals froze the mandate. The 6th Circuit Court of Appeals lifted the stay in December.
If the court finds that the mandate should be stayed, clients opposed would find protection. That decision would send the case back to the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals which is overseeing all consolidated legal challenges to vaccine mandates.
If the mandate is reinstated, businesses not following the rules could face fines of more than $13,000 per violation. The ADF senior counsel said Feb. 9 will be the deadline for full compliance with testing requirements.
The high court will also weigh in on the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid services case, demanding roughly 17 million healthcare workers also get vaccinated or submit to testing.