White House Deputy Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre was grilled this week on whether the Biden administration could mandate a national vaccine requirement for the whole country.
"[It] is not being considered at this time,” she said.
“The President said yesterday that it’s still a question whether the federal government can mandate a whole country to get vaccinated. He said he doesn’t know that yet. Does that mean he’s asked the Justice Department to see if it’s legal?” asked one reporter.
“When he said that, I would encourage you to read his statement and make sure you read the contents of his remarks. A national vaccine requirement is not under consideration at this time, that’s where we are with that,” said the spokesperson.
Biden made national headlines when he suggested the requirement when speaking to the press.
“Why not push for a vaccine mandate in states, private companies, [and] schools? Do you want to see those entities pass vaccine mandates?” a journalist asked President Biden Thursday.
“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.
