Republican lawmakers are reportedly mulling a government shutdown if the next government funding bill includes money for federal vaccine mandates.  

Background: The Supreme Court recently knocked down President Biden’s vaccine mandate for private employers. Last year, Biden announced that private employers with 100 or more workers would have the receive the Covid-19 vaccine.  

The current funding for the federal government will expire on Feb 18th, meaning Congress will have to pass a continuing resolution or appropriations legislation.  

Numerous American cities, including Washington, D.C. have already enacted their own vaccine mandates.  

What Happened: Republican lawmakers led by Texas Rep. Chip Roy are signing a letter stating their intention to pull support from proposals that include funding for federal vaccine mandates.  

“Most Republicans say that vax mandates are tyrannical and foolish, but will they unite before government funding expires on Feb. 18 to pledge not to fund enforcement of these mandates?” Roy asked.  

“Will at least 10 of the 19 GOP senators who voted to punt last time now stand up for health care workers or not?” he continued. “We’re going to find out.” (per Fox News)  

What Comes Next: Republicans plan to tell House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, that their party is reaching another crossroads where they “must once again decide whether they will vote to fund a federal government that is enforcing tyrannical COVID-19 vaccine mandates on the American people.” (per Fox News)  

Republican lawmakers will have until Friday to sign on to the letter.  

Who’s Included So Far:  

-Rep. Chip Roy, Texas  

–Rep. Scott Perry, Pennsylvania  

–Rep. Clay Higgins, Louisiana  

–Rep. Paul Gosar, Arizona  

–Rep. Lauren Boebert, Colorado