Republicans’ rhetoric was too extreme and mirrored events from the January 6 insurrection and not the ongoing public health crisis
Washington Post: Mandatory immunization for the military: As American as George Washington
INDIANAPOLIS – The Indiana Democratic Party, the organization that advocates for the future of Indiana and its families, today criticized the Indiana Republican Party for admitting they care more about their extreme partisanship on COVID-19 than actually using science-based facts to save lives. Last Friday, many elected officials in the INGOP – from Governor Eric Holcomb, Attorney General Todd Rokita, and U.S. Senator Todd Young – provided heated opposition to President Joe Biden’s new “facts on the ground” strategy to help Indiana put the pandemic in the rearview mirror. The INGOP’s rhetoric was extreme and mirrored the events of the January 6 insurrection and not the ongoing public health crisis, which has killed more than 14,000 Hoosiers.
Further, If Republicans like Eric Holcomb and Todd Young say they support vaccines, why did they fail to promote the vaccine all summer?
Are Indiana Republicans aware the United States was aided early on because of a vaccine mandate handed down by George Washington?
This is the second time Indiana Republicans rejected a pathway out of the pandemic – voting “NO” on the American Rescue Plan being the first – proving once again the INGOP cares more about their partisanship than solving today’s biggest problem facing Hoosier families. In fact, the INGOP has consistently politicized the COVID-19 pandemic. From opposing maks mandates, vaccine requirements at universities, and even passing legislation to override local control measures, the extreme partisanship of the INGOP is preventing Indiana from fully recovering from a pandemic.
Meanwhile, Indiana Democrats have used every lever possible to deliver for Hoosier families. Despite universal opposition from Indiana Republicans, U.S. Congressmen André Carson and Frank Mrvan passed the American Rescue Plan, which delivered vaccines in arms and relief for both families and cities and towns across Indiana. This Democrats’ Build Back Better agenda – which includes the upcoming American Jobs Plan – is approved by a large majority of Americans and Hoosiers.
Here’s a sample of the partisan meltdown by the Indiana Republican Party last Friday:
SHOT: President Biden announces new COVID-19 strategy, which includes policies supported by Fox News
CNN: Biden announces new vaccine mandates that could cover 100 million Americans
Business Insider: Joe Biden says ‘even Fox News’ has a strict vaccine passport policy while unveiling his new vaccination and testing mandates
CHASER: Indiana Republican Party has extreme partisan meltdown
Indiana Republican Party: “Joe Biden’s authoritarian overreach…”
Governor Eric Holcomb: “The announcement from President Biden is a bridge too far.”
Attorney General Todd Rokita: “Biden’s decision to demand American workers get vaccinated or risk losing their jobs is what one would expect of dictators in a banana republic.”
U.S. Senator Todd Young: “…this overreach will only exacerbate the problem. President Biden’s vaccine mandate will not stand up in court.”
U.S. Senator Mike Braun: “…desperately overstepping his authority with vaccine mandates for private businesses that violate the individual liberty this country was built on…”
U.S. Congresswoman Victoria Spartz: “President Biden has no legal authority to force a vaccine mandate on private employers.”
U.S. Congressman Larry Bucshon: “Today’s decision by President Biden to mandate vaccinations for roughly 100 million Americans is an overreach…”
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