Freedom from Mandates Act

In Plain Language

This bill cancels two COVID-19 vaccination executive orders that applied to federal contractors and federal employees. It also prevents the Labor Department from requiring employers to mandate COVID-19 vaccines or testing for unvaccinated workers, and prevents the Health and Human Services Department from requiring hospitals and doctors participating in Medicare and Medicaid to mandate vaccines or testing for their staff.

Official Congressional Research Service summary

Freedom from Mandates ActThis bill nullifies certain executive orders regarding COVID-19 safety and prohibits the Departments of Labor and Health and Human Services (HHS) from taking specified actions with respect to vaccination against COVID-19.Specifically, the bill nullifies Executive Order 14042 (relating to ensuring adequate COVID-19 safety protocols for federal contractors) and Executive Order 14043 (requiring COVID-19 vaccination for federal employees).Labor may not issue any rule requiring employers to mandate vaccination of employees against COVID-19 or requiring testing of employees who are unvaccinated.HHS may not (1) require a health care provider, as a condition of participation in the Medicare or Medicaid program, to mandate vaccination of employees against COVID-19 or require testing of employees who are unvaccinated; or (2) otherwise penalize such a provider for failure to mandate such vaccination or require such testing.

Sponsor

Rep. Biggs, Andy [R-AZ-5]

Cosponsors

Rep. Cloud, Michael [R-TX-27]

Rep. Gosar, Paul A. [R-AZ-9]

Rep. Letlow, Julia [R-LA-5]

Latest action

Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and in addition to the Committees on Education and Workforce, Energy and Commerce, and Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

Jan 3, 2025

Official source

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Action history

Jan 3, 2025 Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and in addition to the Committees on Education and Workforce, Energy and Commerce, and Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

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