Pair of Nebraska lawmakers push for special session to ban vaccine mandates

Two Nebraska state senators are making a push to convene a special legislative session to ban businesses from requiring their employees to get vaccinated against the novel coronavirus, the Associated Press reported.

At least 10 lawmakers would need to sign the petition from Republican state Sens. Ben Hansen and Rob Clements to send it to Secretary of State Bob Evnen (R) for approval.

Evnen would then poll the state’s 49 state senators, and 33 would need to support the special session to move forward — which is unlikely as Republicans only have 32 seats. 

The proposed special session would also focus on banning local governments and schools from mandating the COVID-19 vaccine, according to the AP. 

The push comes in response to President Biden announcing last month that all private employers with 100 or more employees will be required to mandate COVID-19 vaccine and daily testing. And it follows governors of states like Texas and Florida making high-profile efforts to resist Biden’s mandate. 

Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts (R), who also opposes vaccine mandates, said he will call a special session only if enough lawmakers favor an actual ban, the AP noted.

Nebraska lawmakers are set to begin their regular session in January.