WASHINGTON, D.C.(Press Release) — U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) today released the following statement in response to OSHA’s new rule, which was formally released today, requiring all private companies with 100 employees or more to enforce mandatory COVID-19 vaccinations for their employees. The Biden vaccine mandate would affect 80 million Americans and impose a $14,000 fine on businesses for every employee who doesn’t comply. Thune will join dozens of his Senate Republican colleagues in introducing a resolution that, if approved, would completely nullify the rule.

“Getting vaccinated against COVID-19 is a personal choice,” said Thune. “I chose to get vaccinated, and I encourage others to as well, but a federal vaccine mandate is wrong, and it will significantly hurt businesses in South Dakota and damage an already struggling workforce. Washington bureaucrats have no business slapping heavy-handed, government-knows-best mandates on private companies or infringing on individuals’ freedoms and privacy. I will do everything I can to stop it.”

On Thursday, South Dakota became one of 11 states suing OSHA over the vaccine mandate.  The suit was filed in Missouri.