Senate rejects GOP amendment to block Biden vaccine mandate

The Senate on Thursday rejected a Republican amendment aimed at blocking President BidenJoe Biden Arizona Democrats and activists envision Sinema’s main potential challenge over Biden’s agenda, Biden obstructionism, and the border patrol: It’s so good to have the “adults” in. charge Dental coverage for Medicare beneficiaries splits parts PLUSvaccine or test mandate for companies with 100 or more workers.

Republicans and Democrats were split in the middle in the vote, 50-50 in the upper house, below the 60 votes needed to pass the measure.

His. Roger marshallRoger W. Marshall Biden bypasses GOP on recess, for now Overnight Energy & Environment – League of Conservation Voters – Climate summit chief says US must “show progress” on environment Manchin, Barrasso announces bill to revegetate forests after devastating fires MORE (R-Kan.) Proposed the measure, which would block the use of federal funds for immunization mandates. He spoke in a series of votes on amendments to a government interim financing measure.

Biden announced earlier this month that his Department of Labor would propose a regulation requiring companies with 100 or more employees to require employees to be vaccinated or tested once a week.

Marshall said that while the “vaccine saved lives”, taking it should be “personal choice.”

“Put simply, we must not allow the administration’s unconstitutional mandate on vaccines to private companies to continue,” he added.

His. Patrick leahyPatrick Joseph LeahyPhotos of the week: renewable energy, gymnast testimonials and Met Gala outfit (D-Vt.) Spoke against the amendment, naming the nearly 700,000 Americans who have died from COVID-19, noting the flags marking their deaths.

“Walk down the mall and look at the flags near the Washington monument,” he said, noting that the amendment “weakens one of our most powerful tools to help people navigate this crisis safely. “.

Republicans widely denounced Biden’s decision, saying it was an attack on their personal freedom.

“Forcing Main Street to vax or pay a fine won’t just crush an economy he’s put on life support, it’s downright anti-American,” said the GOP House leader. Kevin mccarthyKevin McCarthyWatch Live: McCarthy Hosts Weekly Press Conference The Hill’s Morning Report – Presented by Alibaba – Vote or Not? Pelosi faces infrastructure decision Centrist House Republicans lobbied on infrastructure bill MORE (California) tweeted earlier this month in response to Biden’s announcement. “For Joe Biden, strength is more important than freedom. Americans will not stand it.”

Leader of the minority in the Senate Mitch mcconnellAddison (Mitch) Mitchell McConnell By Refusing To Raise Debt Ceiling, Republicans Bank On Americans’ Social Security Benefits The Hill’s Morning Report – Presented by Alibaba – Vote or Not? Pelosi faces infrastructure decision Congress to avoid shutdown, but debt scuffle looms MORE (R-Ky.) Has often encouraged people to get vaccinated and was less vocal against Biden’s tenure than McCarthy, but he also voted in favor of the amendment on Thursday.

However, the move was widely hailed by health experts, as a way to break through holdouts who still have not been vaccinated and have not responded to voluntary measures such as inducements. About 23 percent of American adults have not received any injections.

Ashish Jha, Dean of Brown University School of Public Health, called Biden’s vaccination mandate “essential to the creation of a safe working environment. “

“We will protect vaccinated workers from unvaccinated colleagues,” Biden said during the announcement. “We will reduce the spread of COVID-19 by increasing the share of the vaccinated workforce in businesses across America.”

Democrats have increasingly embraced vaccination mandates as a key popular issue in bringing the pandemic under control.

An Axios-Ipsos survey this month found that 60 percent of the public supported the vaccine or test mandate for companies.