President Joe Biden added to the growing confusion surrounding vaccine mandates during a press briefing from the White House Thursday, telling reporters “I don’t know that yet” when asked about a federal requirement to receive the injection.
“Why not push for a vaccine mandate in states, private companies, [and] schools? Do you want to see those entities pass vaccine mandates?” asked one reporter.
“I’d like to see them continue to move in that direction ... I asked the Justice Department to determine whether they’re able to do that legally, and they can. Local communities can do that, local businesses can do that. It’s still a question whether the federal government can mandate the whole country, I don’t know that yet,” said Biden.
Biden’s comments come hours after he instructed states to offer $100 incentives to all people receiving the vaccine.
“No task is more urgent than turning the tide on the pandemic, and there is no better tool than vaccination,” the Treasury Department said in a statement.
“Treasury stands ready to give technical assistance to state and local governments so that they may use the funds effectively to support increased vaccination in their communities, and Treasury will partner with the Department of Health and Human Services throughout this effort,” it said.
