• About Us
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
Wednesday, July 6, 2022
The Iowa Torch
  • Home
  • State Government
  • Federal Government
  • Local Government
  • Politics
  • Education
  • Opinion
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • State Government
  • Federal Government
  • Local Government
  • Politics
  • Education
  • Opinion
The Iowa Torch
The Iowa Torch
No Result
View All Result
Home State Government

Iowa Will Not Enforce Biden Vaccine Mandate Awaiting Supreme Court Decision

Iowa Labor Commissioner Rod Roberts: "Iowa has determined it will not adopt the federal standard. Iowa has concluded that it is not necessary."

Mary StrokabyMary Stroka
January 12, 2022
in State Government
Reading Time: 2 mins read

Photo by Shane Vander Hart

(The Center Square) – Iowans are waiting for the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision on the COVID-19 vaccine mandate for businesses with at least 100 employees. In the meantime, they’re moving ahead with actions of their own.

RELATED POSTS

Reynolds to ask Iowa Courts to reconsider recent abortion rulings

Post Roe, state elected officials pledge abortion debate in Iowa

Iowa Supreme Court rules there is no right to abortion in state constitution

Iowa Department of Education Communications Director Heather Doe told The Center Square in an emailed statement that since Iowa is a state-plan state, the Iowa Division of Labor typically enforces workplace safety in Iowa instead of the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration. The state is required to notify OSHA whether it will adopt a given Emergency Temporary Standard or provide notice it will not adopt it because its standards are as effective as the new federal standard. Iowa needed to respond to the standard by January 7.

Iowa Labor Commissioner Rod Roberts did so, saying that the Hawkeye State will not adopt or enforce the mandate.

“As a state plan state, the Iowa Division of Labor is charged with protecting the health and safety of those in the workplace and has the authority to enforce workplace safety and health standards for Iowa businesses,” Roberts said in a statement. “Iowa doesn’t have a standard requiring the Covid-19 vaccine or testing. But after closely reviewing the federal OSHA Vaccine Mandate, Iowa has determined it will not adopt the federal standard. Iowa has concluded that it is not necessary because Iowa’s existing standards are at least as effective as the federal standard change.”

ADVERTISEMENT

In a news release containing Roberts’ statement, Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds praised Roberts’ decision and reiterated her belief that rejecting such a mandate is a matter of protecting Iowan’s freedoms.

“The Biden Administration continues to ignore the constitutional rights afforded to all Americans, which our country was built on,” she said. “Instead, they’d rather dictate health care decisions and eliminate personal choice, causing our businesses and employees to suffer and exacerbating our workforce shortage.”

With Roberts’ decision, Iowa employers and their employees are not required to comply with the federal OSHA vaccine mandate, the release said.

Iowa Business Council Executive Director Joe Murphy told The Center Square in an emailed statement that Iowa companies are continuing to monitor the situation while they wait for the Supreme Court’s decision.

“Iowa companies are striving for consistent policies that provide certainty while additionally allowing for flexibility based on the current situation within each organization,” he said.

The state of Illinois has adopted the mandate. Companies in that state have until Jan. 24 to abide by the mandate’s requirements.

The public comment period for the mandate and whether it should become a final rule is open until Jan. 19. Learn more about commenting here.

Tags: COVID-19COVID-19 vaccineIowa Business CouncilIowa Division of LaborJoe MurphyKim ReynoldsOSHARob Roberts
ShareTweetShare
ADVERTISEMENT
Previous Post

In 5th Condition of the State, Reynolds Promotes Tax Cuts, Workforce Development, and Ed Reform

Next Post

Montgomery County Becomes Iowa’s 32nd Second Amendment Sanctuary County

Mary Stroka

Mary Stroka

Mary Stoka is a freelance writer, editor, journalist, and public relations professional who lives in Chicago, Ill.

Related Posts

Iowa’s New Unemployment Rate Holds Steady, Overall Rates Rise
News

Iowa employers say attracting a quality workforce is a top priority

June 30, 2022
Schultz: Governor Highlights Successes in Western Iowa
State Government

Reynolds to ask Iowa Courts to reconsider recent abortion rulings

June 29, 2022
State Government

Post Roe, state elected officials pledge abortion debate in Iowa

June 25, 2022
Iowa Supreme Court rules there is no right to abortion in state constitution
State Government

Iowa Supreme Court rules there is no right to abortion in state constitution

June 17, 2022
Hendrickson & Williams: Governor Reynolds’ Tax Reform Ideas are Pro-Growth
State Government

Iowa to allocate $100M in federal funding for school safety

June 16, 2022
Politics

Several Republican incumbent lawmakers lose primaries

June 8, 2022
Next Post
Montgomery County Becomes Iowa’s 32nd Second Amendment Sanctuary County

Montgomery County Becomes Iowa's 32nd Second Amendment Sanctuary County

Ernst Denounces Plan to Federalize Elections

Ernst Denounces Plan to Federalize Elections

Sign-Up For Our Daily Updates

Get The Iowa Torch right in your inbox!

Please wait...

Thank you for signing up!

Recommended Articles

Pat Grassley: This Session, Iowa House Republicans Listened and Delivered

Pat Grassley: This Session, Iowa House Republicans Listened and Delivered

May 24, 2021
Sinclair: Trump’s Move to Florida Isn’t Just for the Weather

Sinclair: Trump’s Move to Florida Isn’t Just for the Weather

January 8, 2021

Iowa House Panels Advance School Choice Bills

March 3, 2021

Popular Stories

  • Schultz: Governor Highlights Successes in Western Iowa

    Reynolds to ask Iowa Courts to reconsider recent abortion rulings

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Iowa employers say attracting a quality workforce is a top priority

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Axne attacks Nunn in first campaign ad

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Several Republican incumbent lawmakers lose primaries

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Reynolds signs bill eliminating zoning restrictions for fireworks sales

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0

The Iowa Torch

The Iowa Torch​ is a for-profit, news organization that focuses on political news as it relates to Iowans

Categories

  • Education
  • Federal Government
  • Iowa History
  • Local Government
  • News
  • Opinion
  • Politics
  • State Government
  • Uncategorized
  • Uncategorized

Newsletter

Please wait...

Thank you for signing up!

© 2022 The Iowa Torch, a publication of 4:15 Communications, LLC.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • State Government
  • Federal Government
  • Local Government
  • Politics
  • Education
  • Opinion

© 2022 The Iowa Torch, a publication of 4:15 Communications, LLC.