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FIRST ON FOX: Leading GOP House lawmakers on the Transport and Infrastructure Committee on Thursday called on President Biden to rescind his COVID-19 mandates and warned it could have adverse effects on the airline industry.
In a letter obtained by Fox News to the chair, House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee representative Sam Graves, R-Mo., And senior aviation subcommittee member Garret Graves , R-La., Have expressed “serious concerns” about White. Home pressure on US airlines.
BIDEN TO PROMOTE COVID-19 VACCINE MANDATES FOR BUSINESSES IN ILLINOIS VISIT
“The administration’s decision to target airline passenger employees for COVID-19 vaccine mandates and encourage their dismissal if they fail to comply has no basis in a COVID-related law passed by Congress, ”the two men wrote.
The letter comes after reports surfaced last week suggesting the White House was putting additional pressure on major airlines to enforce a vaccine mandate for all employees.
Last month, the president signed an executive order requiring all executive workers to be vaccinated against the coronavirus.
But in addition, Biden has signed an order that requires companies with more than 100 workers to mandate coronavirus vaccinations.
Most federal employees will need to be vaccinated by Nov. 22, while government contractors will have until Dec. 8 to get vaccinated or be fired.
Companies with 100 or more employees are still waiting for Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) rules before vaccine mandates on private companies can be formally enforced.
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White House coronavirus response coordinator Jeffrey Zients reportedly met with officials from major airlines like Delta, American and Southwest last week to push them to also deploy warrants for all employees by December 8 .
“This unilateral mandate and arbitrary deadline will only serve to disrupt airline operations and increase the likelihood of flight cancellations, upsetting vacation plans for thousands of Americans, many of whom have not seen their families. since the start of the pandemic, ”the couple said.
Members of Congress also questioned the potential for mass layoffs if airline workers refused to be vaccinated.
Members of the transportation committee pointed to the “hundreds” of United Airlines employees who were laid off just months after Congress spent billions to keep their jobs afloat during the pandemic.
“Congress, recognizing that a thriving airline industry is vital to the US economy and national defense, has provided approximately $ 54 billion in support to employees of passenger air carriers since the start of the COVID pandemic -19, “they said, adding that this was an unfair standard for airlines.
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“Despite scientific evidence that air travel is extremely safe, your administration chooses to intimidate airlines into laying off unvaccinated employees while giving free passes to other modes of transportation such as transportation. in common, who have received $ 70 billion in COVID relief funding from Congress, ”Pair wrote.
Members of the transport committee urged Biden to abandon “coercive and illegal vaccination programs” aimed at private companies and instead work with Congress and private industries to end the coronavirus pandemic.
Brooke Singman of Fox News contributed to this report.
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