President Joe Biden’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate, already attacked roundly by Republicans, apparently does not have unanimous support among Democrats.
Kansa Governor Laura Kelly says she reviewed the mandate’s rule Thursday. She says she appreciates the goal of keeping people safe but doesn’t believe the Biden directive is either the correct or most effective solution for Kansas residents. She also says the federal mandate comes well after states, including Kansas, have developed their own mitigation systems that meet ongoing needs.
Kelly, a Democrat, is facing a stiff challenge for re-election from current Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt, considered the frontrunner for the Republican nomination in next year’s election cycle.
The mandate, announced in September, forces federal workers, federal contractors, businesses with at least 100 employees and healthcare facilities receiving federal funds to have their employees fully vaccinated by Jan. 4. Further details were announced Thursday. If employees in these categories are not fully vaccinated, the employees face mandatory weekly tests. The business owners face fines of $14,000 per violation. The hospitals and other healthcare facilities stand to lose all their Medicare and Medicaid funds.
Several state attorneys general, including Schmidt, have already filed lawsuits against components of the mandate. Earlier this week, Schmidt filed a lawsuit against the contractor requirement. On Friday, he filed a separate lawsuit against the business employee segment of the mandate.
