US appeals court walks back COVID-19 vaccine requirement for federal employees
Share this @internewscast.com



A federal appeals court on Thursday upheld a lower court decision to block the government from enforcing its COVID-19 vaccine requirement on federal employees — reversing a previous ruling from a smaller panel of its own judges.

The 5th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in a rare en banc rehearing that a preliminary nationwide injunction on the vaccine mandate should remain in place while the case proceeds. 

The decision overturns that of a three-judge appeals panel, which ruled last April to uphold the Biden administration’s vaccine mandate for federal employees.

At issue is whether the Texas district court that ordered the preliminary injunction had the jurisdiction, given the existence of the Civil Service Reform Act (CSRA), which protects employees from unfair or unwanted practices by federal employers.

However, the full appeals court found that the case, brought by a 6,000-member organization known as Feds for Medical Freedom, falls outside the purview of the CSRA because they are challenging the vaccine mandate on the grounds that the president exceeded his constitutional authority. 

“Plaintiffs’ complaint does not challenge any personnel action reviewable under the CSRA. Nor does it challenge any personnel action they could hypothetically incur in the future,” the court said in Thursday’s opinion. “Rather, plaintiffs claim that the President’s vaccine mandate violates the U.S. Constitution and the [Administrative Procedure Act].”

The court also noted that both sides will eventually have to “grapple with the White House’s announcement that the COVID emergency will finally end on May 11, 2023.”

Biden first issued the vaccine mandate in September 2021, ordering all federal employees to get vaccinated or face disciplinary actions, including termination. However, the order permitted exceptions for religious and medical reasons.

Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

Embracing Wisdom And Experience: The Significance Of Elderly In Our Lives

VERIFIED Celebrating the Elderly and understanding knowledge of experience. As we embrace…

Daily cup of tea helps cut chance of diabetes

Compared to people who don’t drink tea, those who did reduced their…

Burger King Confirms New Ghost Pepper Chicken Fries & Whopper

If you get a kick out of spicy food, you may find…

This Milkshake Is the Tastiest, Most Convenient Way To Re-Up My Protein Post-Workout (and It’s Lactose Free!)

With the Well+Good SHOP, our editors put their years of know-how to…

5 Speedy 10-Minute Core Workouts for Instant Abs

A solid set of abdominals is arguably the most sought-after fitness goal.…

Hugh Bonneville's wife Lulu 'broke down in tears as she told friends in pub that Downton Abbey star abruptly ended their marriage of 25 years in July' – just weeks before he was seen giggling at Michelle Dockery's wedding

Hugh Bonneville’s wife Lulu broke down in tears as she told friends…

McDonald’s McRib Officially Returning in November 2023

Less than a year has passed since McDonald’s launched a “Farewell Tour”…

4 Festive Fall Treats You Can Make With Just Bananas, Peanut Butter, and Chocolate

As much as we love polishing off the bag of candy bars…

14 Healthiest Restaurant Chain Meals for Weight Loss

Ordering at a restaurant can be tricky, especially when you’re trying to…

Colon cancer has a high survival rate when caught early. How to get a free screening

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — Kimberly McNeil has wonderful memories of her grandmother from…

UKHSA urges eligible people to get flu vaccine as virus could be more deadly than Covid

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is urging vulnerable groups to get…

Biden administration looking to expand coverage of OTC birth control, other products

The Biden administration is asking for public comment on whether to require…