Natural State News

Two Arkansas legislators have filed vaccine-related bills after Biden administration mandates have driven businesses with more than 100 employees to require its employees to show proof of vaccination.

The business mandate was made official last month in an attempt to persuade the remaining 80 million unvaccinated Americans to get the shot.

"We've been patient, but our patience is wearing thin, and your refusal has cost all of us,” a frustrated Biden told the public, according to CNN.

The business mandate would include healthcare workers and employees working at federal agencies, such as the U.S. Postal Service.

"We have the tools to combat the virus if we come together to use those tools," the president continued.

The announcement prompted Gov. Asa Hutchinson to denounce the requirement shortly thereafter, stating that "federal government mandates on businesses are not the answer,” according to Natural State News reported Sept. 17. The governor clarified that he fully supports and encourages vaccination, but he disagreed with the federal government’s approach to impose a mandate.

"I have been consistent in the freedom of businesses to require their employees to be vaccinated and I have opposed the government from saying businesses cannot exercise that freedom," Hutchinson said in a statement. "The same principle should protect the private sector from government overreach that requires them to vaccinate all employees." 

The two bills presented by Rep. Joshua Bryant and Sen. Bob Ballinger would shield businesses and their employees from the federal vaccine mandate. The legislature is in session for special debate sessions covering redistricting processes based on census data.