Justices question lawyers about effectiveness, public interest.
Separate oral arguments are being heard in an emergency session of the United States Supreme Court to consider federal vaccine and testing rules for larger businesses and vaccine mandates for healthcare workers at facilities receiving Medicaid and Medicare funding. Enforcement of the policies has been put on hold pending resolution in the nation’s highest court. The two cases are being considered separately.
Justice Sotomayor, for health reasons, is participating remotely from her chambers in the court building rather than on the bench with the other justices.
The justices have asked questions and made comments during the oral arguments. Justice Kagan said, “It’s an extraordinary use of power [the mandates] taking place in an extraordinary situation.”
Justice Breyer asked how a halt to the mandate could “conceivably be in the public interest” with the increase in Omicron and COVID spikes.
Some of the justices are drawing the difference between rules from OSHA and mandates.
Justice Barrett asked if the power of OSHA is overly broad, saying it is “so far beyond healthcare and what Congress defined as high risk work places.”
When oral arguments have been completed, it is expected the justices will meet and discuss the present issue as well as the broader legal template over regulatory limits of government as a probable side issue.
Written rulings could come within a matter of days.
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For wisdom for each of the nine Supreme Court justices as they consider the implications of testing and mandates.
- For federal health officials to be discerning as they issue health recommendations.
- For the president and his advisors to seek God’s direction as they make decisions for the country.
Sources: AP News, CNN JDSupra, Fox News
