Lawsuits from Republican-led states are expected after the Biden administration announced that by January 4, all businesses with over 100 employees must require those workers be vaccinated against COVID or tested regularly.
Organizations are also likely to sue, with a conservative policy group from Ohio already doing so.
The Buckeye Institute filed the suit in federal court on behalf of two Ohio manufacturers. Buckeye’s Robert Alt says the Occupational Safety and Health Administration doesn’t have the authority to issue this mandate, which he said will have a devastating effect on already strained supply chains.
“I think there are businesses across the country and employees across the country that have very grave and serious concerns about this," Alt said. "And ultimately, even if we think the motives were pure or the outcomes are good, government must still act within the limits of its authority, even in times of pandemic.”
Labor Secretary Marty Walsh says OSHA has the power to order the mandate that will cover 84 million workers, along with a similar one for federal contractors.
Ohio joined Kentucky and Tennessee in a lawsuit over that requirement, saying deputies quitting over it will lead to the release of federal detainees housed in county jails.
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has been supportive of the federal government's vaccine-or-test mandate. The Ohio Chamber of Commerce is opposed, saying the rule is "a significant infringement on the ability of Ohio employers to set their own workplace policies."
Several bills to ban various vaccine mandates in Ohio have been proposed, but have been put aside for the time being because of opposition from the Chamber, health systems and other influential groups.
