Missouri Governor ? Michael L. Parson

Office of Communications

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 10, 2021

Governor Parson Condemns Biden Administration's Vaccine Mandate, Vows Legal Fight Against?Unconstitutional Federal Overreach

(JEFFERSON CITY, MO) ??Today, Governor Mike Parson announced that his administration will reject the Biden Administration's?attempt?to enforce an unconstitutional, federal vaccine mandate for?Missourians?and private businesses. The Office of the Governor has been in communication with leadership from the Missouri?General Assembly?and the Attorney?General's Office to align resources for a pending legal fight.?

"This assault?on individual liberty and free enterprise is a poorly?executed?attempt by the Biden Administration to reset after its?disastrous?withdrawal?from Afghanistan," Governor?Parson said. "With our southern border?in crisis and as we are experiencing?out-of-control inflation, President Biden is desperate to divert attention from his failures. However, Missouri will not be a pawn in this publicity?stunt that seeks to force?Missourians to disclose private health care decisions?and dictate private business operations."

Yesterday, during a speech at the White House, President Biden announced?plans to use the Occupational Safety and Health Admisntration (OSHA) to issue an unconstitutional vaccine mandate for private employers. This action would infringe on Missouri's?constitutional authority and exceeds the scope of the authority granted to either President Biden or OSHA. The President cannot legislate with the flick of his pen from the Oval Office and OSHA cannot dictate personal health care decisions for Missourians. Missouri is not under an OSHA state plan, and Governor?Parson?will not allow state employees to be used to enforce this unconstitutional action.

The United States Constitution does not give unelected and unaccountable federal bureaucrats authority over the personal health care decisions of Missourians. The Biden Administration?is trying to use a federal agency to interfere with private businesses and personal decisions. This unconstitutional behavior is clearly meant as a distraction from the real problems the Biden administration has fostered since coming into office.

"When President Biden should be focused on protecting our troops and securing our borders, he has instead decided?to inject himself into the private lives and business dealings of hard-working Missourians," said Speaker Rob Vescovo. "This is?an obvious?attempt by the President to shift attention away from his failures?in Afghanistan?where his disastrous?withdrawal?left American citizens behind. We in the Missouri?House of Representatives?will not stand for it, and we will do everything in our power to protect the personal liberties of Missourians."

The United States Supreme Court has said that states, not the federal government, are charged with the responsibility to protect public health within states under the 10th Amendment to the United States Constitution. Governor?Parson believes?the regulation of public health is a state issue and that the General Assembly has a say in the process.

"As a small business owner who would be subjugated?to President Biden's unconstitutional mandate, I, nor the Missouri Senate, will stand idly by and allow this inexcusable?power grab to harm Missourians," said President Pro-Tem Dave Schatz. "What the Biden Administration?is attempting to do will only worsen the workforce?shortages?businesses across the?country?are facing and is an absolute affront to our American freedoms."

Missouri stands ready to meet this unconstitutional encroachment of power with strong legal action.?

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