LAKELAND, Fla. – Gov. Ron DeSantis and Attorney General Ashley Moody announced Thursday that they are filing a lawsuit against the federal government for ordering that all federal contractors be vaccinated against COVID-19.
The governor called the mandate an “overreach” on the Biden administration’s part, with Moody adding that the order was unlawful.
The announcement comes after 21 Republican state attorneys general sent a letter to President Joe Biden criticizing his COVID-19 vaccination mandate for federal contractors.
WATCH: Full press conference with Gov. Ron DeSantis and Attorney General Ashley Moody:
The Wednesday letter was signed by attorneys general from Texas, Mississippi, Alaska and other states.
They say the mandate “stands on shaky legal ground,” is confusing to contractors and could worsen supply-chain problems.
They wrote that companies could be blacklisted for federal contracts unless they get their workers vaccinated on “an unworkable timeline.”
Some legal experts say they think the Biden administration is on strong legal footing with the mandates to protect public safety.
DeSantis, however, vowed to fight against such mandates and added that in Florida, there will be no vaccine mandate on school children after studies have shown the vaccines are safe and effective for young children.
“That is a decision that parents can make,” the governor said.