Jean-Pierre stated that this is a great way to make sure employees are safe at work during his daily press briefing.She pointed out her comments at Fox News Peter Doocy, unprompted. This is a departure from Biden's circumspect approach to dealing with the messaging of the conservative media giants on Covid-19 vaccines.It is also similar to the protocols you have all put in place in newsrooms, including Fox, Peter. She said that she is asking for self-attestation in order to ensure a safe workplace. This isn't an uncommon matter.Multiple outlets reported that Fox Corporation had established a policy called Fox Clear Pass, which allows employees to self-report their vaccination status. The company's screening procedures would not be applied to those who have been vaccinated.At the same time the Biden administration has taken pains to avoid the word mandate when referring to the get-vaccinated-or-get-tested approach. Some of the president's top labor allies have been disturbed by the rapid growth of such requirements in the federal government, and elsewhere. They believe that such matters should not go ahead without the approval of their constituents. This could alienate some union members.Jean-Pierre, who stated that she didn't want to go into details prior to Bidens address emphasized repeatedly that workers still have the power to decide for themselves under attestation policies.She said that what I had presented as a strong consideration was a choice. Employees will have the option to make that choice.Biden ordered approximately 2 million federal workers to submit regular testing or attest to their vaccination status shortly before he took to the podium. This directive applies to federal employees as well as contractors. Those who don't affirm that they have been vaccinated are required to wear masks and undergo Covid-19 testing once or twice per week.Biden also instructed the Pentagon to add coronavirus to its list of mandatory immunizations for military service. He also urged governments to tap into coronavirus relief assistance to offer $100 rewards for those who are willing to get vaccinated.The Department of Veterans Affairs announced earlier this week that it will require Covid vaccinations for frontline health care workers such as physicians nurses and physicians assistants. California's and New York's elected leaders also announced similar plans for public-sector workers and certain private-sector healthcare workers.Jean-Pierre stated that the Biden administration views the federal government in a way that can be used by other companies and organizations to help them chart a safe return of office after the pandemic.She stated that "a key goal of ours was to ensure that we have a sustainable model for employers across the country."A recent opinion by the Department of Justice stated that its Office of Legal Counsel did not believe federal law prohibits businesses and public agencies from mandating coronavirus vaccines. This reassured leaders who are considering such measures that they would be legal.The political debate around vaccinations has intensified as employers make distinctions between the vaccinated from the unvaccinated, while local governments in Washington, D.C. and elsewhere impose mask-wearing ordinances, regardless of whether or not a person is vaccinated, at the request of the CDC.Republicans were furious at the return to mask rules on Capitol Hill this week. The outcry only escalated after a Capitol Police bulletin raised the possibility that congressional staffers or visitors could be arrested for violating the Houses mask edict.
