White House scolds Abbott for trying to ban Biden’s federal vaccine mandate in Texas

Updated at 8:30 PM with Abbott response.

WASHINGTON – The White House railed Governor Greg Abbott for trying to prevent Texan companies from enforcing a state COVID-19 vaccine mandate, accusing him Tuesday of serving GOP primary voters at the expense of public health.

“It is important to remember that we are in the middle of a pandemic,” said White House press secretary Jen Psaki. “Why would you take steps to prevent lives being saved?”

On Monday, Abbott openly defied President Joe Biden by banning Texas companies from requesting vaccines for employees or customers.

Its executive order provides for a US $ 1,000 fine for any violation. The Biden government insists that the governor’s order has no legal force and that employers can safely ignore it.

“We know that federal law takes precedence over state law,” said Psaki.

Texas-based companies have stepped in to claim they are under no obligation to obey the governor’s decree. On Tuesday, the Dallas Regional Chamber distanced itself from Abbott’s position, reiterating that it “supports the decision of every single employer to do what is best for their business, whether it be a vaccine mandate with reasonable exceptions” or regular testing.

School children in Texas must be vaccinated against measles, mumps, rubella, hepatitis, and chickenpox.

Abbott spokeswoman Renae Eze said the governor has “spoken to countless Texans who fear losing their jobs because of this federal violation.”

“The Biden government has placed Texans in the impossible position of having to choose whether to provide for their families or to be fired for not receiving the COVID vaccine because of their religious beliefs, illness or personal conscience,” she said . “And they’ve given employers the unfair choice of either breaking federal regulations or losing their valued employees. The governor’s executive order will help save Texans from making that decision. “

In fact, Biden directed the labor protection agency to provide an alternative that would allow unvaccinated workers to show a negative test result at least once a week.

Many major employers in Texas and across the country welcome Biden’s vaccine mandate. Many employees have refused to return to their offices without being sure that employees and customers are not contagious.

Abbott’s attempt to discourage companies from demanding vaccines from their employees is a reversal of his stance in August when he said that while Texas would not give such a mandate, it would give companies that option.

When asked why the governor is now trying to prevent a federal mandate that applies to employers with 100 or more employees, Psaki gave a succinct answer: “Politics”.

“If you make a decision that violates all of the public health information and data out there, it’s pretty clear that it’s not based on what’s in the interests of the people you rule,” she said, noting that Abbott’s aversion to a COVID-19 mandate makes no sense, given the mandates for school children.

Abbott is seeking a third term. His two Conservative challengers in the primary, former state Senator Don Huffines and Allen West, a year-old Florida Congressman who briefly led the Texas Republican Party, have accused Abbott of undermining personal freedom by starting the pandemic Mask mandates imposed.

The governor has now banned such mandates from cities, counties and school districts.

Psaki also targeted Senator Ted Cruz, who attributed widespread flight cancellations by Dallas-based Southwest Airlines to vaccine mandates.

“Joe Biden’s illegal vaccine is a work!” The Texas Republican tweeted Sunday night. “Suddenly we are missing pilots and air traffic controllers.”

“I know [that] The world-famous business travel and health expert Senator Ted Cruz has emphasized this, “said Psaki when asked whether mandates have already reduced the workforce.

But Southwest said Tuesday the disruption was “primarily weather” caused on Friday, with a cascading effect over the weekend.

The airline also said it plans to comply with Biden’s orders with Abbott.

“We are reviewing all vaccine guidelines and are aware of Governor Abbott’s recent order. Under the President’s Executive Order, federal measures supersede any state mandate or statute, and we are expected to follow the President’s order in order to remain compliant as a state contractor. We will continue to closely monitor all orders and keep our employees informed of any changes to existing policies, ”the company said.

Despite claims by Cruz and other Conservatives, the federal mandate has not come into effect and will not be effective until OSHA drafts and finalizes implementation regulations.

Regardless, Psaki said, the notion that vaccine mandates reduce the number of available workers rather than ensure their health is not shared by business leaders who have implemented mandates, nor by health professionals who say mandates are needed to maintain immunity expand in population and curb the pandemic.

“This is how you can save lives [and] create more security. It’s good for the economy, ”she said.

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