TAB: Biden's vaccine mandate sets 'frightening precedent'

Companies with more than 100 employees or more could soon be mandated by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration to have workers either get vaccinate against COVID-19 or face a hefty fine under a mandate President Joe Biden announced on Sept. 9.

Biden's new edict was his administration's attempt to get more unvaccinated Americans vaccinated, but the Texas Association of Business (TAB) disagrees with how the president is going about achieving a higher vaccination rate. 

"We believe that the vaccine is the most effective way to prevent transmission of COVID-19, however, today's federal mandate sets a frightening precedent," the Texas Association of Business wrote in a Sept. 9 tweet.

Glenn Hamer, TAB CEO, released a statement that was shared with TAB's tweet following the president's announcement that stated the association believes vaccines will help rejuvenate the state's economy, but they oppose forcing employees to get the shot.

"Requiring the vaccine for private enterprises sets a frightening precedent that could be used to justify any manner of regulation on business, and TAB stands in opposition to this mandate," Hamer said in the statement.

He also criticized the president for not consulting with the business community about the mandate, which he believes will lead to "further politicization" of the virus.

"While certain special interests have a direct line to the White House, our nation's employers have been left out," Hamer said in the statement.

According to Vox, one of the mandates placed forth by Biden requires large employers to have their workers get vaccinated or undergo weekly testing for coronavirus. The decision would impact millions of Americans that have yet to receive the vaccine. 

As expected, members of the Republican Party have an issue with the vaccine mandate, Vox reported.

Tweets from Republican governors vowing to take legal action against the mandate were included in the article by Vox.