Missouri Chamber Testifies On Vaccine Mandate

/
Businesses should have the autonomy to make their own decisions when it comes to vaccines and their employees - Kearney Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Stacie Bratcher

Businesses should have the autonomy to make their own decisions when it comes to vaccines and their employees - Kearney Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Stacie Bratcher

The Missouri Chamber of Commerce joined Governor Parson, Attorney General Eric Schmitt, and several lawmakers in opposition to President Biden’s gross attempt of governmental overreach. On September 15, Kara Corches, Director of Legislative Affairs for the Missouri Chamber, testified against Biden’s federal vaccine mandate for employers.

On September 10, Biden announced his plans to use the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to issue an unconstitutional vaccine mandate for private employers. The mandate would require employers with at least 100 employees to be fully vaccinated against the coronavirus. Unvaccinated workers would need to produce negative tests results on a weekly basis.

A statement from the Missouri Chamber reads, “While we believe that COVID-19 vaccination is the pathway to full economic recovery, the Biden Administration’s approach is wrong for business and a severe governmental overreach. In fact, a poll of Missouri Chamber members found that nearly 80% of respondents agree businesses should have the freedom to make their own decisions about vaccination, including mandating vaccination if deemed necessary.”

The Missouri Chamber believes that the federal government should be supporting and working with employers to make this decision instead of making policies to further divide public opinion about a COVID-19 vaccination. 

“The Biden Administration’s new COVID-19 vaccine and testing mandate is the wrong approach for business,” said Daniel Mehan, president and CEO of the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry. “As always, the Missouri Chamber will stand against attempts to place new government mandates on our employer community.”

The Kearney Chamber of Commerce’s position is to provide businesses with facts and information so employers can make company policies in their own best interest.

 “The Chamber believes that businesses should have the autonomy to make their own decisions when it comes to vaccines and their employees,” echoed Kearney Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Stacie Bratcher. “Our Chamber wants to empower our businesses with the information they need to make these decisions.”

KPGZ News - Brian Watts contributed to this story