Document ID: ./input/supremecourt_opinions/opinions/21pdf/21a244_hgci.pdf
Page Number: 10.0

Cite as:  595 U. S. ____ (2022) 

1 

GORSUCH, J., concurring 

SUPREME COURT OF THE UNITED STATES 

_________________ 

Nos. 21A244 and 21A247 
_________________ 

NATIONAL FEDERATION OF INDEPENDENT 
BUSINESS, ET AL., APPLICANTS 
21A244 
v. 
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR, OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY 
AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION, ET AL. 

OHIO, ET AL., APPLICANTS 
21A247 
v. 
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR, OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY 
AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION, ET AL. 

ON APPLICATIONS FOR STAYS 

[January 13, 2022]

 JUSTICE  GORSUCH,  with  whom  JUSTICE  THOMAS  and 

JUSTICE ALITO join, concurring. 

The central question we face today is:  Who decides?  No 
one  doubts that  the  COVID–19  pandemic  has  posed  chal-
lenges for every American.  Or that our state, local, and na-
tional governments all have roles to play in combating the 
disease.    The  only  question  is  whether  an  administrative 
agency in Washington, one charged with overseeing work-
place safety, may mandate the vaccination or regular test-
ing of 84 million people.  Or whether, as 27 States before us 
submit, that work belongs to state and local governments
across the country and the people’s elected representatives
in  Congress.  This  Court  is  not  a public  health  authority. 
But it is charged with resolving disputes about which au-
thorities possess the power to make the laws that govern us 
under the Constitution and the laws of the land.