Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D) tweeted out on Friday that the Biden Administration COVID vaccine mandate was “the right move.” Walz said that the mandate “will help ensure we’re keeping each other safe and healthy.”
This is the right move, @POTUS. The COVID-19 vaccine is safe and effective, and this will help ensure we’re keeping each other safe and healthy. https://t.co/myXIX7VFN2
— Governor Tim Walz (@GovTimWalz) September 10, 2021
Rep. Dean Phillips (D-03-MN) also tweeted out comparing the Biden vaccine mandate to when wagons were forced to drive on the right side of the road in 1792, implying that the mandate was on par with a commonsense move for law and order.
Remember the cries of unconstitutional government overreach when Pennsylvania required wagons and carriages to travel on the right side of the road in 1792?
— Rep. Dean Phillips 🇺🇸 (@RepDeanPhillips) September 10, 2021
In another tweet Phillips said, “Real patriots protect their neighbors.”
If you live in the woods and don’t want a vaccine, that’s your prerogative. But when you step foot into a store, a school, a factory, an airport, or an office, now you’re potentially compromising my freedom, my liberty, and my health. Real patriots protect their neighbors.🇺🇸
— Rep. Dean Phillips 🇺🇸 (@RepDeanPhillips) September 10, 2021
Other Minnesota congressional delegates chimed in. Rep. Pete Satuber (R-08-MN) called the mandates “unprecedented overreach.” He tweeted, “Personal medical decisions should be made between a patient and their doctor, not by bureaucrats demanding a vaccine mandate. This is an unprecedented overreach by the federal government that will be stopped.”
Personal medical decisions should be made between a patient and their doctor, not by bureaucrats demanding a vaccine mandate. This is an unprecedented overreach by the federal government that will be stopped. https://t.co/t2K7ogmbZe
— Pete Stauber (@PeteStauber) September 9, 2021
Stauber said, “Joe Biden along with his army of unelected federal bureaucrats have absolutely no right to trample over workers’ rights, medical freedom and individual liberty.”
(1/2) I strongly oppose Biden’s tyrannical vaccine mandate on the American people and believe it is a complete abuse of power, and potentially unconstitutional. Medical decisions are personal, to be made between an individual and their doctor.
— Pete Stauber (@RepPeteStauber) September 9, 2021
Rep. Jim Hagedorn (R-01-MN) said that Biden does not have the authority to issue these mandates. He wrote, “President Biden has no authority to impose a COVID vaccine mandate on Americans.” He called the mandate “a direct assault on freedom and an attempt by this administration to gain more control over Americans’ lives.”
Hagedorn went on to say that, “The American people have the right to make their own decisions about their medical care for themselves and their family.”
Let’s be clear – President Biden has no authority to impose a COVID vaccine mandate on Americans. This is an unconstitutional and un-American step – nothing short of a total abuse of power that relies on force and coercion.
— Congressman Jim Hagedorn (@RepHagedorn) September 10, 2021
Dr. Scott Jensen, a former state senator and a candidate in Minnesota’s 2022 gubernatorial, said that Minnesota must become a Health Freedom Sanctuary State. Jensen said, “The tyrannical top-down approach from Biden must be met with strong rebuke.”
MN must become a Health Freedom Sanctuary State
-Ban on vaccine passports
-Ban on employer vaccine mandates
-Banishment of child masking
-Ban on emergency lockdowns – without exceptionThe tyrannical top-down approach from Biden must be met with strong rebuke.
MEET THE MOMENT! pic.twitter.com/Fqvbs2McU9
— Scott Jensen (@drscottjensen) September 10, 2021
Dr. Neil Shah, another gubernatorial candidate, also called the mandates overreach. He wrote that, “States must fight back against President Biden’s executive overreach.”
States must fight back against President Biden's executive overreach. As governor I would ensure any federal overreach that threatens health freedom here in Minnesota will be nullified and unenforceable.
Sign & share the petition now: https://t.co/rJVG6CQ5g2#SaveSota #FireWalz— Dr. Neil Shah (@NeilShahMN) September 10, 2021
State Senator Michelle Benson (R-Ham Lake), another candidate in Minnesota’s 2022 election for governor, also mentioned the mandates, saying they were putting the government in charge of individual’s healthcare.
Competition & innovation are key to making healthcare more accessible & affordable.
Government run one-size-fits-all healthcare puts bureaucrats, not patients, at the center of health care.
You should be in control of your healthcare & your children’s healthcare.
— Sen. Michelle Benson (@SenatorBenson) September 10, 2021
State Senator Paul Gazelka (R-Little Falls), former Minnesota Senate Majority Leader and candidate for the gubernatorial, called the mandates “disturbing” and said that the vaccine shouldn’t be forced on people.
Disturbing news from DC and the Biden administration about vaccination requirements.
As I’ve stated from the onset to choose to get vaccinated or not is a personal choice between a patient and their care team. It should never be forced on to folks. https://t.co/v4PzjZx0IA
— Paul Gazelka (@paulgazelka) September 9, 2021
Rep. Tom Emmer (R-06-MN) called the mandates “an unconscionable move” and said that it was “egregious federal government overreach.”
This is an unconscionable move by @POTUS. Private employers should not be forced to comply with this kind of egregious federal government overreach. They know what works for their workplace and employees, not Washington bureaucrats. https://t.co/JUJKgGbrn6
— Tom Emmer (@RepTomEmmer) September 10, 2021
Rep. Michelle Fischbach (R-07-MN) said that Biden’s speech “delivered fear and division” and called the move to mandate the vaccine a “gross overreach of power.”
Pres Biden promised us unity, but delivered fear and division last night. Either way, it's simply a gross overreach of power. #MN07https://t.co/YK3r6vx6eJ
— Michelle Fischbach (@FischbachMN7) September 10, 2021
Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN) did not make any statements regarding the mandates as of Friday afternoon. Representatives Angie Craig (D-02-MN), Betty McCollum (D-04-MN) and Ilhan Omar (D-05-MN) also did have any statements about the mandates.
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Hayley Tschetter is a reporter with The Minnesota Sun | Star News Network. Follow Hayley on Twitter or like her Facebook page. Send news tips to [email protected].
