They’re contradicting themselves on every point.
Republicans have declared war on President Joe Biden’s plan to mandate vaccinations against the coronavirus. They say Biden’s plan —which covers federal workers, health care workers, government contractors, and companies that employ 100 or more people— violates individual rights and exceeds the president’s constitutional authority. It’s a serious argument, but it isn’t being seriously presented. Instead, Biden’s opponents are arguing both sides of every question. They’re doing anything they can to obstruct a solution as the virus kills thousands of people each week. The simplest argument against the mandate is that no one should be fired for refusing an injection. “ You shouldn’t have to make the choice of keeping your job or getting a jab in the arm,” says Pete Ricketts, the Republican governor of Nebraska. But Biden’s plan offers another option—instead of getting a COVID shot, you can “ show a negative test at least once a week ”—and Republicans say that’s still too intrusive. Such “rigorous testing procedures” are “ an infringement of every citizen’s fundamental rights,” says Sen. Josh Hawley. Other Republicans agree. They won’t accept mandatory injection, and they won’t accept reasonable alternatives. The GOP’s next objection is that employers, not government, should decide whether to require vaccination as a workplace policy. But when employers choose that policy, Republicans attack them. Rep. Andy Biggs, the chair of the House Freedom Caucus, complains about “ the private sector ” imposing vaccine rules. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, who calls Biden’s plan an “ assault on private businesses,” has issued two executive orders barring vaccine mandates by any private entity that receives public funds. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, another self-styled libertarian, attacks Biden’s mandate while bragging about a new Florida law that prohibits businesses from requiring proof of vaccination. Sen. Ted Cruz says “ the federal government has no authority to force businesses ” to require vaccination, but he has filed federal legislation to bar companies from imposing such mandates. In fact, Cruz complains that Biden’s mandate is a fig leaf for Fortune 500 companies that want to vaccinate their workers. Sometimes Republicans argue that anyone who’s afraid of COVID can get adequate protection through vaccination, so there’s no need to force vaccination on anyone else. “ If the vaccine protects, why do the vaccinated need protecting?” asks Rep. Jim Jordan. But at other times, Republicans challenge the efficacy of vaccines.
