Rep. Biggs Commends Secretary Kennedy's End of COVID Vaccine Mandatess

Rep. Andy Biggs

Representative Andy Biggs praised Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for ending emergency authorization for COVID vaccines, saying it protects healthcare freedom.

Andy Biggs supported the federal policy change that stops broad vaccine mandates while maintaining access to vaccines for those who want them.

Biggs Welcomes Change

"No American should have ever been coerced to take an untested and unsafe vaccine," Biggs said. "[Secretary Kennedy] has correctly rescinded the emergency authorization for the COVID-19 vaccine. Thank you, Secretary Kennedy, for your commitment to healthcare freedom."

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said the FDA actions accomplished four goals: ending vaccine mandates, keeping vaccines available for those who want them, requiring better testing from drug companies, and ending the emergency status but vaccines are still available for higher-risk groups through regular approval.

Arizona Fought Mandates

Biggs' response coincided with Arizona's majority opposition towards vaccine requirements during the pandemic. The state resisted federal mandates while navigating new policies from cities and employers.

Governor Doug Ducey passed laws stopping state and local vaccine requirements. However, some cities and companies established their own rules based on federal policies.

Former Attorney General Mark Brnovich sued the Biden administration over federal contractor vaccine mandates. A federal judge stopped the contractor requirement for Arizona workers but allowed mandates for federal employees.

Local Policies

Despite state opposition, some Arizona employers required their employees to get vaccinated. Phoenix required all 14,000 city workers to get vaccinated by January 2022, citing the need to abide by federal contractor rules, as informed by AZCentral.

Arizona schools and universities couldn't require vaccines under state law. Health officials said emergency authorization was wrong to add COVID vaccines to the necessary school shots.

The new policy allows for personal choice while maintaining access to vaccines for those who want protection.

“The American people demanded science, safety, and common sense. This framework delivers all three.” Kennedy concluded.

Ericka Piñon

Ericka Piñon is a state and federal politics reporter for Cactus Politics and a Journalism and Mass Communication student at Arizona State University. With a focus in public relations, she aims to deliver balanced coverage grounded in solid sourcing.