Document ID: ./input/supremecourt_opinions/opinions/21pdf/21a240_d18e.pdf
Page Number: 11

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

1 

THOMAS, J., dissenting 

SUPREME COURT OF THE UNITED STATES 

_________________ 

Nos. 21A240 and 21A241 
_________________ 

JOSEPH R. BIDEN, JR., PRESIDENT OF THE 
UNITED STATES, ET AL., APPLICANTS 
v. 
MISSOURI, ET AL. 

21A240 

XAVIER BECERRA, SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND 
HUMAN SERVICES, ET AL., APPLICANTS 
v. 
LOUISIANA, ET AL. 

21A241 

ON APPLICATIONS FOR STAYS

 [January 13, 2022]

 JUSTICE  THOMAS,  with  whom  JUSTICE  ALITO,  JUSTICE 

GORSUCH, and JUSTICE BARRETT join, dissenting. 

Two months ago, the Department of Health and Human 
Services  (HHS),  acting  through  the  Centers  for  Medicare
and Medicaid Services (CMS), issued an omnibus rule man-
dating  that  medical  facilities  nationwide  order  their  em-
ployees,  volunteers,  contractors,  and  other  workers  to  re-
ceive  a  COVID–19  vaccine.  Covered  employers  must  fire
noncompliant workers or risk fines and termination of their 
Medicare and Medicaid provider agreements.  As a result, 
the  Government  has  effectively  mandated  vaccination  for 
10 million healthcare workers. 

Two District Courts preliminarily enjoined enforcement 
of the omnibus rule, and the Government now requests an 
emergency  stay  of  those  injunctions  pending  appeal.    Be-
cause the Government has not made a strong showing that 
it has statutory authority to issue the rule, I too would deny 
a stay.