1.13.22 COVID-19 Bulletin: SCOTUS Blocks Vax-or-Test Rule
Blog Categories
Josh Veronica
January 13, 2022
This afternoon, the U.S. Supreme Court blocked OSHA’s emergency rule that required employees at workplaces of 100 or more to be vaccinated against COVID-19 or test weekly.
The court issued a temporary stay, meaning that enforcement of the rule should be paused while circuit courts consider the case more fully.
The rule has been subject to heavy litigation, being blocked by one circuit court and reinstated by another. The Supreme Court heard oral arguments on the rule last Friday, and OSHA began enforcement of the rule Monday.
In the decision, the majority took issue with the fact that Congress did not weigh in on this mandate. The majority wrote that, “although Congress has enacted significant legislation addressing the COVID–19 pandemic, it has declined to enact any measure similar to what OSHA has promulgated here. … Permitting OSHA to regulate the hazards of daily life—simply because most Americans have jobs and face those same risks while on the clock—would significantly expand OSHA’s regulatory authority without clear congressional authorization.”
Justices Breyer, Sotomayor, and Kagan dissented.
In a separate decision, the court voted 5-4 to uphold a vaccine mandate for healthcare workers in facilities that receive federal funds.
The BNP will continue to keep you informed as the federal government debates this issue.
Related Posts
Overcoming Supply Chain Issues
Worldwide, companies throughout every business sector are dealing with significant supply chain challenges. The Buffalo Niagara region is certainly no exception. Increased costs, labor shortages, logistical breakdowns, and a host of other issues are impacting all aspects of the economy from manufacturer to customer.
6.29.22 Advocacy Alert: Primary Wrap Up
Last night, New York voters selected party nominees for Governor, Lt. Governor, and Erie County Clerk.
Primaries for U.S. House and State Senate seats will be held on August 23. No Assembly candidates in Erie or Niagara counties faced primaries.
6.27.22 Advocacy Alert: Coming Soon: Your Next Cost Increase
In the next few months, prepare to receive a much higher bill for unemployment insurance (UI). The BNP spent over a year warning state leaders that this was coming. The state failed to act, and now, the chickens are coming home to roost.
6.21.22 Advocacy Alert: Primary Election #1 Next Week
One set of primary elections will take place on Tuesday, June 28. Early voting is open now. Look up your polling place and sample ballot here: (Erie County) (Niagara County). Note that primary elections are only open to voters registered in that party.