LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb issued a statement on Friday calling the COVID-19 mandates President Biden announced on Thursday "a bridge too far," according to a report by FOX 59.
Under the president's plan, companies with over 100 employees will now be required to make sure their workers are vaccinated. If they are not, they will be required to get tested weekly.
President Biden said he'll use the Defense Production Act to increase production of rapid tests, including those meant for home use.
Gov. Holcomb issued the following statement in response:
"I believe the vaccine is the number one tool that will protect us and our loved ones against COVID-19. It is the tool that will end the pandemic. However, I strongly believe it's not the state or federal government's role to issue a vaccine mandate upon citizens and private businesses. This is the approach our administration has taken all along. The announcement from President Biden is a bridge too far. Private businesses should be able to look at their own mission, their staff and their goals and make the decision best for them that will keep their doors open.
"I believe it is fundamentally a citizen's right to choose whether or not to get the vaccine. While I wish everyone would get the vaccine, we are a country built on this exact type of freedom."
The governor isn't the only Indiana leader pushing back.
Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita said he has spoken with other state attorneys general about blocking the mandate.
"We haven't as a country or even as a state been in this place before," Rokita said in an interview Friday morning, calling the federal requirements "unprecedented."
He said he's exploring all options.
Copyright 2021 by WDRB Media. All rights reserved.
