RESOLUTION 2021-001
A RESOLUTION OF THE SUMTER COUNTY REPUBLICAN EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE, SUMTER COUNTY, FLORIDA; EXPRESSING OPPOSITION TO PRESIDENT BIDEN’S MANDATORY VACCINATION DECLARATION; EXPRESSING SUPPORT FOR THE FLORIDA ATTORNEY GENERAL TO CHALLENGE THE MANDATORY VACCINATION PROGRAM; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, in 2019, the first case of coronavirus disease 20I9 (COVID-19) was discovered in the United States.
WHEREAS, on March 1, 2020, the Governor of the State of Florida issued Executive Order 20- 51 directing the State Health Officer and Surgeon General to declare a public health emergency. Eight days later, the Governor issued Executive Order 20-52 declaring a statewide emergency. Then on April 1, 2020, the Governor issued Executive Order 20-91 which essentially set forth a stay-at-home order, only allowing businesses classified as essential service to operate. The statewide closures caused millions of Floridians to lose their jobs and resulted in major economic damages; and
WHEREAS, the stay-at-home order and local business closures caused hundreds of residents of Sumter County to lose their jobs and resulted in economic damages to the local economy; and
WHEREAS, on or about December 2020, vaccinations for COVID-19 became available to persons residing the United States, and by April 2021, vaccinations were available to all individuals within the United States aged 16 and older. To date, approximately 175 million Americans have been fully vaccinated, with full vaccination consisting of two doses of the vaccine; and
WHEREAS, on September 9, 2021, President Biden announced a mandatory vaccination program which will impact millions of Americans. The mandatory vaccination program requires the full vaccination of:
- All federal workers and federal contractors (approximately 2.5 million people).
- Health care workers at Medicare and Medicaid hospitals and other health care settings (approximately 17 million people).
- Employees who work for a private Employer who has l00+ employees, or alternatively to require mandatory testing every week for those who do not get vaccinated (approximately 80 million people).
The President has directed the Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to develop a rule to carry out this program. OSHA plans to issue and Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) to implement this requirement; and
WHEREAS, as part of the directive to OSHA, President Biden’s program contemplates imposing fines against private employers if they fail to require mandatory vaccinations or weekly testing of their employees. It is estimated that the fines can run up to $14,000 per violation; and
WHEREAS, Florida’s Attorney General, Ashely Moody has stated that “Joe Biden does not have the authority to force vaccines on millions of Americans.” Attorney General Moody has also indicated that she will take any and all action within her authority to “stop this unprecedented power grab.”; and
WHEREAS, Governor DeSantis has stated publicly that the federal vaccination mandate: Can result in the destruction of livelihoods of so many people throughout our country. People should not be cast aside because they made a medical decision for themselves. They should not lose their jobs. They should not be unable to put food on their table just because they made a different decision that the powers that be are demanding that they make.
Governor DeSantis has vowed that with the assistance of the Florida Legislature, protection will be offered to the people of the State of Florida.
WHEREAS, the Sumter County Republican Executive Committee now desires to enunciate a position on President Biden’s mandatory vaccination program.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the SUMTER COUNTY REPUBLICAN EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE, SUMTER COUNTY, FLORIDA; as follows:
- Expresses its opposition to the Mandatory Vaccination Program announced on September 9, 2021, by President Biden. Imposing a mandatory vaccination program with severe financial penalties upon employers will have devastating emotional and economic impacts on millions of American and Florida citizens.
- Also, declares its support for the Attorney General of the State of Florida to take whatever actions are necessary and reasonable within the authority and power of her office to seek relief from the Mandatory Vaccination Program for Florida residents.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this 7th day of October, 2021.