Governor Kay Ivey (R-AL) on Monday issued an executive order aimed at combatting President Joe Biden’s vaccine mandate.
Executive Order No. 724 entitled, “Combating Overreaching COVID-19 Vaccination Mandates,” cites an array of actions that are to be undertaken by state government with the intention of ensuring Alabamians are protected against the enforcement of the Biden administration’s vaccine requirements.
Ivey’s executive order directs all entities under the authority of the state’s executive branch to coordinate with the Alabama Attorney General’s office to support litigation the state has brought against the federal government to combat the mandate’s enforcement.
Additionally, the governor’s order states that no state governmental entity shall “seek to impose a penalty on any business or individual for noncompliance with any federally imposed requirement that has the purpose or effect of forcing an individual to receive a COVID-19 vaccination or requiring a business to force its employees to receive a COVID-19 vaccination.”
The executive order further issues protections for state executive branch employees and contractors.
The federal government’s overreach has given us no other option, but to begin taking action, which is why I am issuing this EO to fight these covid-19 vaccine mandates. As long as I’m governor, AL will not force anyone to take the vaccine. #alpolitics ➡️ https://t.co/d490Ogyevf
— Governor Kay Ivey (@GovernorKayIvey) October 25, 2021
Upon her issuance of the executive order, Ivey offered a statement declaring her intentions to stand against the enforcement of what she calls the Biden administration’s “egregious” vaccine decree.
“The federal government’s outrageous overreach has simply given us no other option, but to begin taking action, which is why I am issuing this executive order to fight these egregious covid-19 vaccine mandates,” said Ivey. “Alabamians – and Americans alike – should and must have the choice to roll up their sleeves to get this shot and certainly not forced by government. While President Biden laughs at the idea of protecting your freedoms, I will continue fighting for Alabama businesses and their employees.”
The governor expressed optimism in states’ ability to defeat the White House in court over the issue. Ivey made mention of her coordination with Attorney General Steve Marshall (R-AL) in state efforts to combat the mandate’s enforcement.
“If the federal government presses on with these new federal mandates, then the Biden White House has once again failed the American people,” she added. “As I have stated, no doubt, this will be challenged in federal courts. I am already working in concert with Attorney General Steve Marshall, because Alabama is standing firm in this fight. This latest move by the federal government is what I believe is an illegal overreach, and I am confident we will win the battle in the courts.”
Ivey further noted that her issuance of the executive order was the beginning of the state’s fight to kill the Biden administration’s vaccine edict.
“I am adamantly opposed to federal mandates related to the covid-19 vaccine and adamantly opposed to state mandates related to the covid-19 vaccine, plain and simple,” she advised. “As long as I am your governor, the state of Alabama will not force anyone to take a covid-19 vaccine. Through today’s order, the state of Alabama is making our position on this issue crystal clear. A state law in response to President Biden is not enough. The courts are where this will be resolved. Today is one step in this fight, but certainly not the last.”
Ivey concluded, “Alabamians are overwhelmingly opposed to these outrageous, Biden mandates, and I stand firmly with them.”
Dylan Smith is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @DylanSmithAL
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