New OSHA Rules Draw Criticism from Area Leaders

New rules for getting workers vaccinated against COVID-19 issued by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration are drawing criticism from a number of lawmakers.

Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson said during a news conference Thursday he believes this new guidelines will have harmful effects on businesses and that they should have to option whether the vaccine is right for their business. Hutchinson said in the news conference he will support Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge in her efforts to block the regulations. Rutledge has already joined a lawsuit against the federal government, led in part by Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt, to stop those regulations from going into effect.

Meanwhile, both of Missouri's U. S. Senators have spoke out in an Associated Press story against the regulations. Senator Roy Blunt, who is co-sponsoring a resolution blocking the mandate, says that while he encourages people to get vaccinated, he feels mandating it could have harmful effects on an already depleted work force and supply chain. Senator Josh Hawley says in an interview that this is executive overreach and should be blocked. 

The mandate will require companies of 100 or more employees to have their staffs vaccinated by January 4 or face several other guidelines like regular testing.