Governor Bill Lee on Wednesday spoke out against President Joe Biden’s federal coronavirus vaccine mandate, arguing the president has “politicized” the issue.
Detailing the mandate has caused division throughout the country, Lee explained that state lawmakers are working to limit the federal government’s “overreach.”
“It’s the mandate, not the vaccine, that creates a big government sized-wedge between individuals & their doctor,” Lee said in a tweet. “The Biden Administration has politicized this from the start. But, for most people this isn’t about politics – It’s about their paycheck and personal health.”
It’s the mandate, not the vaccine, that creates a big government sized-wedge between individuals & their doctor.
The Biden Administration has politicized this from the start. But, for most people this isn’t about politics – It’s about their paycheck and personal health.
— Gov. Bill Lee (@GovBillLee) October 20, 2021
Lee has remained a constant critic of Biden’s decision to mandate the shot, previously calling the decision a “power grab.”
“Our partners in the legislature understand that & we are all working to limit federal overreach & help Tennesseans get on with their lives,” Lee continued, pointing to the upcoming special session of state legislators, which will officially begin on October 27.
During the special session, lawmakers are expected to draft legislation that “will cover a number of issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic, including overreaching health care mandates,” according to a statement from Lieutenant Governor Randy McNally (R-Oak Ridge) and House Speaker Cameron Sexton (R-Crossville).
The scope of the session is expected to include the broad, federal mandates issued by the Biden administration that require certain companies to mandate vaccination or weekly testing, which could impact almost 2 million Tennesseans, and restrictions on monoclonal antibodies.
Finally, when speaking to reporters, Lee encouraged residents of the state to receive the vaccine, if eligible.
“The COVID-19 vaccine is the most important and most effective tool that we have to combat this virus,” Lee said, noted by WZTV. “We will continue to make it widely available and we will continue to encourage Tennesseans to get a vaccine.”
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Cooper Moran is a reporter for The Star News Network. Follow Cooper on Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].
