Press Releases

WASHINGTON – Rep. Ron Estes (R-Kansas) released a statement in opposition to today's overreach by the federal government through OSHA regarding vaccine mandates for employers with 100 or more employees.

"Just in time for the holidays, President Biden is gifting Americans with a mandate that is sure to increase already rising prices, cripple an already challenged supply chain, and force workers to choose between their personal convictions and their jobs," said Rep. Estes. "This mandate does not instill confidence in the vaccine – which millions of Americans have freely chosen to take and experience its benefits – but instead it pushes the federal government deeper into the lives of our families and businesses. Regardless of one's views on the effectiveness of the vaccine, it's clear this mandate is an overreach of the federal government and should not be implemented."

OSHA estimates that the cost of implementing this mandate will be at least $2.99 billion. Industries like truck, rail and air transportation will face millions of dollars in costs and resignations before the Jan. 4, 2022, deadline, impacting the holiday shopping season before the end of the year. Additionally, companies that are non-compliant could face fines of $14,000 per violation, up to $136,000.

Rep. Estes recently introduced legislation to protect religious liberty exemptions and cosponsored legislation to stop vaccine mandates, as well as signing a letter seeking answers from President Biden. He also launched a Share Your Story webpage at estes.house.gov/stories. Rep. Estes will share the collected stories with the Biden administration, congressional colleagues and fellow Kansans as he works to prevent these mandates from taking effect.