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Florida Gov. DeSantis sues Biden over vaccine mandates

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announced Thursday that the state had filed suit against the federal government over its coronavirus vaccine mandate for federal contractors.

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According to the lawsuit, the state contends that President Joe Biden does not have the authority to issue the mandate, and that it violates procurement law.

Biden, NASA Administrator Bill Nelson (a former Florida senator), as well as White House contracting officials were named as defendants in the lawsuit, The Associated Press reported.

“The federal government is exceeding [its] power and it is important for us to take a stand because in Florida we believe these are choices based on individual circumstances,” the Republican governor said in a statement.

The state is seeking an immediate injunction to the rule, which is scheduled to take effect Dec. 8.

In addition to the vaccine mandate for federal contractors, Biden also announced a vaccine mandate or weekly COVID-19 testing for private companies that employ 100 or more workers. In addition, those working at health facilities that receive federal Medicare or Medicaid also will have to be fully vaccinated.

Business groups have been meeting with officials at the Office of Management and Budget, asking the administration to move the start date for the mandate until after the holiday season, according to a report.

The National Association of Manufacturers sent a letter to the OMB last week asking the administration to exempt businesses from the requirements if they already have companywide mandates, or if a certain percentage of employees are vaccinated.

On Wednesday, 21 Republican state attorneys general sent a letter to the president saying they think his vaccination mandate for federal contractors “stands on shaky legal ground,” is confusing to contractors and could exacerbate supply-chain problems, the AP reported.

DeSantis announced earlier this month that he would call state lawmakers to the Capitol in November to draft legislation to reverse vaccine mandates enacted by private businesses.