AUSTIN, TX – Today, State Representative John Raney joined Texans for Responsible Government (TRG) in an amicus brief to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit Court objecting to the Biden Administration’s overreaching and unprecedented vaccine mandate. The mandate that would affect 84 million workers was developed and is being enforced by the U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). The amicus brief filed by TRG and various Republican members of the Texas House of Representatives challenges the constitutionality of the mandate and calls for it to be overturned.

The vaccine mandate issued by OSHA would compel private businesses with 100 employees or more to require all employees to be vaccinated by January 4, 2022 or face weekly COVID-19 testing. More than half the states, including Texas, have filed lawsuits challenging President Biden’s vaccine mandate. These states are joined by pro-business, educational, manufacturing, faith, labor, staffing, and medical interests, and advocates challenging the order. 

“Individual responsibility and accountability are of paramount importance in the Covid-19 era. Punitive measures against private businesses are not the solution and forcing an employee to choose between a vaccine and putting food on the table is unacceptable. Texans are capable of making their own decisions about whether or not the vaccine is a viable and responsible choice for themselves,” said Representative Raney.

“The cases now pending with the federal court of appeals are the ballgame,” said Chris Britton, executive director of Texans for Responsible Government. “TRG, along with Representative Raney stands solidly with the numerous businesses, teacher groups, states, and nonprofits fighting this federal overreach and assault on individual liberty.” 

Last month, the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans issued a ruling for a stay on the OSHA mandate. With heightened legal advocacy in Texas and other U.S. states, TRG and Texas House Leadership hope to see the mandate overturned permanently. 

Elected to serve House District 14 in 2011, Representative Raney is a proud sixth-generation Texan and is a life-long community member and small business owner in Bryan-College Station. He serves on the House Committees on Higher Education and Appropriations.