24 attorneys general threaten Biden admin with lawsuit over vaccine mandate

The coalition of 24 GOP state attorneys general specifically outlined their legal and policy concerns with the mandate, implemented via the Occupational Safety and Health Act emergency temporary standard.

The letter reads, "You emphasized at your September 9 announcement that 'the vaccines provide a very strong protection from severe illness of COVID-19'… And you said that 'science makes clear' that 'if you're fully vaccinated, you're highly protected from severe illness, even if you get COVID-19.'"

The letter continues, "The mandate however sends exactly the opposite signal: it suggests that the vaccinated need protection from those who, for whatever personal reason, chose not to or cannot receive a COVID-19 shot. That is hardly a statement of confidence in the efficacy of vaccines."

Additionally, the coalition points out how the judicial branch is highly skeptical of OSHA emergency temporary standards due to concerns around the separation of powers. The letter outlines the OSHA emergency temporary standard relates to work-related hazards. The coalition argues someone possibly coming in contact with anyone, anywhere else in the world, is not a hazard.

Ohio was joined on the letter by the attorneys general of Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, West Virginia, and Wyoming.