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Vaccination

Labor Topics in Focus: Reconciliation Package Updates, COVID-19 Vaccine Employer Mandate, and More

Strategic Insights

— 3 min read

As both chambers of the U.S. Congress worked to address the U.S. Federal Government's funding and looming U.S. debt ceiling, Democrats continued to negotiate the terms of a reconciled spending bill. Senator Joe Manchin (D-West Virginia) stated his willingness to support a Democratic spending bill, but only if it does not exceed $1.5 trillion and addresses means-tested programs. Meanwhile, the House postponed a vote on the Senate-approved $1.2 trillion bipartisan infrastructure package amid progressive Democrats' concerns about the measure's price. In other news, healthcare workers faced deadlines in several states to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, with one in four companies instituting a vaccine mandate for their American workers. Legal challenges to the vaccine mandate continue to be filed before different jurisdictions.

Key Takeaways:

  • Senator Joe Manchin (D-West Virginia) expressed support for a Democratic spending bill, but only if it does not exceed $1.5 trillion and addresses means-tested programs.
  • The House postponed a vote on the Senate-approved $1.2 trillion bipartisan infrastructure package, citing progressive Democrats' concerns about the measure's price.
  • One in four companies has instituted a COVID-19 vaccine mandate for their American workers.
  • Legal challenges to the COVID-19 vaccine mandate are ongoing, with a group of lawsuit plaintiffs filing a case on September 23 seeking an injunction to block the mandate.
  • Pfizer Inc. CEO Albert Bourla stated that Pfizer/BioNTech will submit data to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on vaccines for children ages five to 11 within "days, not weeks."
  • Moderna is expected to secure FDA approval for a booster dose of its COVID-19 vaccine, with timing on the approval remaining unknown.
  • Merck & Co. announced positive phase 3 data for its investigation of molnupiravir, a medication in clinical trials for antiviral treatment of COVID-19.
  • The U.S. Department of Commerce launched the Job Quality Initiative, which aims to help American employers become more competitive by providing their workers with high-quality jobs.
  • The U.S.-European Union (EU) Trade and Tech Council (TTC) discussed key topics including global trade challenges, artificial intelligence, semiconductors, and data governance and tech platforms.
  • The TTC released a joint statement reflecting labor rights and a commitment to protecting workers from forced and child labor.

Statistics:

  • 3,700 Federal employees were furloughed by the U.S. Department of Transportation on Friday due to the surface transportation authorization lapse.
  • One in four companies have instituted a COVID-19 vaccine mandate for their American workers.
  • 16% of companies had instituted a vaccine mandate for their American workers last month.
  • The U.S. Department of Commerce's Job Quality Initiative aims to provide high-quality jobs to American workers.
  • The U.S.-European Union (EU) Trade and Tech Council discussed key topics including global trade challenges, artificial intelligence, semiconductors, and data governance and tech platforms.
  • 12,000 mining operations in the U.S. were monitored by the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) for compliance.

Sources:

  • "Both Chambers of the U.S. Congress Were in Session This Week, Working to Address Funding the U.S. Federal Government Beyond the End of the Current Fiscal Year." Mondaq, September 30, 2021.
  • "Senator Joe Manchin (D-West Virginia) Told Reporters on Wednesday That He Could Support a Democratic Spending Bill, But Only if It Does Not Exceed $1.5 Trillion." Mondaq, September 30, 2021.
  • "The House Was Set to Vote on Thursday on the Senate-Approved $1.2 Trillion Bipartisan Infrastructure Package Amid Threats from Progressive Democrats That They Would Not Support the Measure." Mondaq, September 30, 2021.
  • "Pfizer Inc. CEO Albert Bourla Said on Sunday, September 26, That Pfizer/BioNTech Would Submit Data to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Vaccines for Children Ages Five to 11 Within 'Days, Not Weeks'." Mondaq, September 30, 2021.
  • "Moderna is Expected to Secure FDA Approval for a Booster Dose of Its COVID-19 Vaccine, Likely at a Level That Is Half the Prime Doses." Mondaq, September 30, 2021.
  • "The U.S. Department of Commerce's Job Quality Initiative Aims to Help American Employers Become More Competitive by Providing Their Workers with High-Quality Jobs." Mondaq, September 30, 2021.
  • "The U.S.-European Union (EU) Trade and Tech Council Discussed Key Topics Including Global Trade Challenges, Artificial Intelligence, Semiconductors, and Data Governance and Tech Platforms." Mondaq, September 30, 2021.
  • "The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) Announced - for the Seventh Year in a Row - That None of the Nation's 12,000 Mining Operations Met the Criteria for Its Pattern of Violations ('POV') Screening." Mondaq, September 30, 2021.

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