Government lawyers on Wednesday urged a federal judge not to block COVID-19 vaccine mandates that have been imposed on federal employees, federal contractors, and …
Government lawyers on Wednesday urged a federal judge not to block COVID-19 vaccine mandates that have been imposed on federal employees, federal contractors, and military members, arguing that the court lacks the power to do so and that enjoining the orders would go against the public interest. President Joe Biden in August issued executive orders requiring vaccination against the virus that causes COVID-19 for federal workers and contractors and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin issued a similar order later that month for U.S. troops. Two dozen plaintiffs, including members of each military branch, in October, sued the Biden administration, arguing all three orders are unconstitutional in part because of an apparent lack of religious accommodations. They are seeking a preliminary injunction, which would block the mandates until the case is decided. In a 41-page response filed Wednesday, lawyers for the administration say entering an injunction “would harm the public interest in slowing the spread of COVID-19 among millions of federal employees, contractors, service members, and the members of the public with whom they interact.” They cited recent court rulings in similar matters, including one that found the government has a “compelling interest” in “stemming the spread of COVID-19, a disease caused by the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus.
