State Files Lawsuit Against Biden Administration Over COVID Vaccine Mandate

The state of Oklahoma filed a lawsuit Thursday against the Biden Administration over its COVID-19 vaccine mandate for military and federal employees.

Thursday, December 2nd 2021, 6:55 pm

By: News 9, News On 6


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The state of Oklahoma filed a lawsuit Thursday against the Biden Administration over its COVID-19 vaccine mandate for military and federal employees.

The office of Oklahoma attorney general John O'Connor is asking a federal court to grant a temporary restraining or an injunction that would not allow the administration to enforce the mandate.

Governor Kevin Stitt released a statement shortly after the office filed the suit.

“The U.S. Constitution, the Oklahoma Constitution, and U.S. Code Title 32 are all clear: as governor, I am the Commander-in-Chief of the Oklahoma National Guard.
“Therefore, unless mobilized by the President of the United States under U.S. Code Title10, I retain the authority for all training and governance of the Oklahoma National Guard – including determining if and how training guidelines issued by the president will be implemented.
“This week, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin declared his intention to proceed with unconstitutional punishment that individually targets Oklahoma National Guard soldiers and airmen, including withholding their pay.
“It is unconscionable that President Biden and his administration are choosing to play politics with military paychecks, especially amid the highest inflation rate in 30 years and so close to the holiday season.
“Threatening the pay of National Guard members is manifestly unlawful and unfair, as unvaccinated active-duty personnel do not have their pay withheld.
“Further, it is hypocritical that Secretary Austin addresses the importance of medical readiness in his letter but fails to mention that unlike active-duty personnel, National Guard members are not provided health care and must purchase it themselves. If medical readiness is truly that high of a priority to the Department of Defense, it should provide health care for all National Guard Soldiers and Airmen like it does for active duty service members.
“I will continue fighting to protect Oklahoma against this alarming pattern of unconstitutional federal overreach coming from the Biden administration.”

The state attorney general's office is also asking the court to prevent the administration from blocking federal funds from the Oklahoma National Guard and its members in addition to declaring the mandate “unconstitutional.”

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