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The Statehouse News Bureau provides educational, comprehensive coverage of legislation, elections, issues and other activities surrounding the Statehouse to Ohio's public radio and television stations.

Ohio House Republicans Encourage AG Yost To Challenge Biden's COVID-19 Vaccine Rule

[Andy Chow / Statehouse News Bureau]
The Ohio statehouse in session

State lawmakers are sounding off on President Joe Biden's proposed rule for businesses to require workers either get the coronavirus vaccine or be tested for the virus weekly.

Republican legislators have circulated a letter calling on Ohio to challenge the rule in court.

Nearly 60 Republican House members have signed the letter, according to Rep. Kyle Koehler (R-Springfield), who says the Biden rule amounts to a vaccine mandate.

"I don't think this is something where we should tell individuals in the United States that they have to take a shot. That is an extreme violation of their personal rights, that is not who we are as United States citizens," Koehler said.

The rule says businesses with more than 100 employees can test workers who do not get the shot.

But Rep. Beth Liston (D-Dublin), a physician, says it's important to have public policy reflect best practices in public health.

"We've had hundreds and thousands of Americans die and it continues. So I think we know how to address this and that's through vaccines and aggressive testing and this reflects that best policy," Liston said.

Attorney General Dave Yost (R-Ohio) signed a letter with 23 other attorneys general around the country telling the Biden administration the rule is illegal and that they'd file a lawsuit if Biden officially submits it.

Copyright 2021 The Statehouse News Bureau. To see more, visit The Statehouse News Bureau.