Judge Blocks Federal Contractor Vax Mandate; Halts Enforcement Nationwide

News from Plumbing Heating Cooling Contractors National Association:

On Tuesday Dec. 7, 2021, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Georgia ruled to hold the Federal Contractor Vaccine Mandate and to halt all enforcement of that rule across the country pending further actions of the court. This is the last of three vaccine mandates to be halted for the entire country.    

District Judge R. Stan Baker ruled that President Biden likely exceeded his authority when he issued the order affecting federal contractors and subcontractors and he wrote, “In its practical application, it operates as a regulation of public health… It will also have a major impact on the economy at large, as it limits contractors’ and members of the workforce’s ability to perform work on federal contracts. Accordingly, it appears to have vast economic and political significance.”

Judge Baker added that the mandate is “costly, laborious and likely to result in a reduction in available members of the workforce.” The White House has committed to defending the rule signaling an appeal that will certainly be presented to the Supreme Court.