The new vaccine mandate for companies with 100 or more employees that begins January 4 has now caused 11 states to file lawsuits against the bill.

It was announced earlier this week that at the beginning of 2022 any medium or large company with 100 or more employees will have to be vaccinated and those who are not will have to be tested weekly and wear masks while at work. There are exemptions for those with health and religious issues.

According to WOOD, the lawsuit was filed Friday in St. Louis-based 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals argument is about the authority to compel vaccinations rests with the states, not the federal government.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration says not only do the companies have to mandate these new regulations but there are penalties for failing to comply that could cost employers around $14,000 per violation and that can add up quickly even lead to a business closing.

10 states led by Republican attorneys general have joined in this lawsuit that includes Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming. Iowa Democratic Attorney General Tom Miller also joined in on the suit.

These eleven states are not the only ones filing suits. Companies in Michigan and Ohio who are represented by a conservative advocacy firm have filed suits on Thursday. Some Wisconsin manufacturers who are represented by a conservative law firm have also filed suit.

I had a feeling when this news popped up earlier this week there would be lawsuits and I feel there will be a lot more backlash against this new mandate to come. Hopefully, none of this leads to violence.

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