Gov. Holcomb plans to sue federal government over vaccine mandate, AG provides additional info
Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb has directed the attorney general to sue the federal government for the vaccine mandate for companies with 100 employees or more.
The rule, which goes into effect January 4, requires companies with more than 100 employees to require employees to get the vaccine or submit to weekly testing.
Holcomb released the following statement:
“I direct the Indiana Department of Labor to work with the Attorney General on a lawsuit challenging the federal government regarding the OSHA ETS. This is an overreach of the government’s role in serving and protecting Hoosiers. While I agree that the vaccine is the tool that will best protect against COVID-19, this federal government approach is unprecedented and will bring about harmful, unintended consequences in the supply chain and the workforce.”
Attorney General Todd Rokita held a press conference Thursday afternoon to provide additional details about the lawsuit.
Rokita said the state will be filing three separate lawsuits to challenge vaccine mandates.
One lawsuit will be filed in the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals as a Petition for Review of the OSHA-enforced mandate. The state will also ask the court to pause the mandate until the case works its way through the legal system.
A second lawsuit will challenge the provisions that contractors working with the federal government will be required to be vaccinated. Louisiana and Mississippi will be joining Indiana in the challenge to this provision.
The third lawsuit will challenge the Medicaid and Medicare related vaccine requirements. The interim rule is scheduled to be published on Friday, so further details were not available. Louisiana and Mississippi will be joining Indiana in this lawsuit.
Watch the press conference below